BACKGROUND
As I said yesterday, commentators believe Psalms 9 and 10 were one big psalm because there is no attribution to David in Psalm 10 when it is in the middle of others that are attributed to him.
This psalm contains similar themes discussed in previous posts this week. David was honest with God regarding his need for help (almost seeming to complain). He is quick to plead for justice over the wicked and concludes by exalting God as King and the one who hears all our cries!
REFLECTION/APPLICATION (Written in 2011)
I saw that a new television show will be airing this fall called Revenge. It is about a young woman who moves to the Hamptons to seek revenge for her father's murder. It looks really creepy. I am thinking she did not read Psalm 10 because it maps out a different path that allows God to right all wrongs.
This reading in the Daily Walk (June 2, 2008) speaks perfectly to the issue of revenge:
"Why, O LORD?" (10:1). What Christian hasn't asked that question, particularly when the wicked seem to prosper without punishment and God does nothing in answer to the prayers of His children?
In Psalm 10 the psalmist touches the nerve of this painful problem and probes for God's divine perspective on it. True, the proud and self-sufficient are prospering in their ways; true, they are seemingly getting away with murder; true, God has seemingly forgotten about bringing justice to bear (at least from the perspective of the wicked). But don't be lulled into following their wicked course. God has seen the injustice they commit; God has not overlooked their mischief and spite; the day of payment for their wickedness will come. And when it does, you will be glad you didn't walk with the wicked.
Are you struggling with feelings of bitterness toward God or revenge toward another over an injustice you suffered at the hands of someone? There are two paths you can follow: (1) Nurse your grudge and demand that God answer your why; or (2) turn your grudge over to God and in exchange find His strength to bear up under your sufferings. Read verses 16-18 out loud as your confident testimony that "the LORD is King."PRAYER
Praise to You, our righteous King! You know the score on every account, and You vindicate us in Your righteousness! Lord, I pray for true honesty with You for all in the Bible Book Club because that is where a genuine relationship with You starts. I LOVE You! Thank You for being there through every step of my life!!! Amen.
4 comments:
When a man denies his accountability to God, his pride increases greatly and he can become quite wicked. Or maybe it's the other way around, but there's definitely a relationship there. He thinks God doesn't exist, or doesn't see him, or doesn't care what he does, or doesn't judge him, AND he is very, very arrogant, AND he sins against God and his fellow man.
God is a patient God, and often waits a very long time before bringing His judgement on the wicked. We often get impatient waiting for Him, and we don't like to see the wicked prosper in the meantime.
But God does see and He does judge. He has destroyed entire nations in judgement. At the same time, He hears those who are humble and those who are oppressed by the wicked. He strengthens them and comes to their aid.
This Psalm voices must be the age-old cries of those who trust in God, "Why do the wicked prosper?" "Lord, have you forgotten me?" This is one reason I love the Psalms. They voice just about every emotion and thought.
This psalm promises that God does hear. The day will come when the wicked (the man of the earth) will dealt with by Him. And He will strengthen the hearts of the humble.
Yes, Katrina! I think the is sort of the root of pride for all of us. We sort of "forget" God. Maybe we don't go to the point of denying that God exists, but our action deny that God is existing in our actions at that time. Pride is the root of SO much of what ails me, and I believe all of us.
I have to constantly keep in mind that I AM ACCOUNTABLE to God in everything. I think this is where the New Testament concept of abiding in Christ comes into play. If we are experiencing God by abiding in the Vine, we will not have any room for pride in our life.
This is my aim, goal, passion! I want to abide 24/7/365!
I have never been a revenge type of gal. God is sovereign in all His ways. I really believe that.
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