Why standest thou afar off, O
LORD? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? (v 1)
The psalmist cries out to God,
before cataloguing a list of societal evils. Everywhere he looks, wickedness
persists. The wicked prey on the humble, defenceless of society; and worse,
they prosper (v 5). They boast of their prowess; elevate their peers and
soundly reject God, or any possibility that He sees what they are doing.
Many Christians experience the same feelings of hopelessness and despair at
today’s world. Injustice prevails, the lines between good and evil are eroded
daily, and wickedness can often be a requirement on the ladder to success.
What is a righteous man to do?
One lesson to be learned from Psalm 10 is not to camouflage your feelings. In
the midst of trouble, God may appear to have distanced Himself. You may be at
your most righteous, have examined your life for sin, you may even have spent
time on your knees until every teardrop is squeezed out of you in prayer; yet
the wicked around you breeze through life, cursing God by their actions.
The psalms reveal the uniqueness in man's relationship with God: we can cast
our cares on the Lord, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). In fact, it's the
mark of a healthy relationship when you don't have to disguise your distress
and fears, but can freely pour them out before God without fear of criticism.
In any event, God sees deep inside your heart; He knows exactly what you're
thinking, so you might as well bring them out into the open before Him.
Take a look at the book of Habakkuk for an interesting dialogue, along the same
lines, between God and the Prophet. You'll find proof that God listens. Don't
be afraid to bring your concerns before God in prayer. In fact, rather than
talking about them with other people, make God's presence your first port of
complaint.
If you are constantly concerned about the state of the world, it might also be
a signal that God is calling you to pray for your community or nation. Ezekiel
points out God's feelings on the matter.
The people of
the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor
and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a
man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me
for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (Ezekiel
22:29-30)
He's looking for an intercessor
to pray for the land to forestall His wrath upon the wicked. Let your
complaints about the evil you see every day become a cry for mercy to God.
And don’t be surprised when He answers!