To live with danger was a way of life, but we did not think of it as danger, merely as part of all that we must face in the natural order of living.”
–Louis L’Amour (Killoe)
“Stay alert!” –1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
“Stay alert and be clearheaded.” –1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NLT)
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” –1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
“Keep alert at all times.” –Luke 21:36 (NLT)
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This week we finish up Psalm 10. In the second part of this Psalm there is a major change. Last week, we questioned, “Oh, Lord where are you?”
“Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen;
Nobody knows but Jesus.”
–Negro spiritual
Have troubles? —Jesus is there. Have worries and needs? —Jesus is there. Have sorrow and find yourself in despair? —Jesus is there. There is not a condition or situation you may have or find yourself in that Jesus is not there with you.
12 “Rise up, Lord God! Lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted.
13 Why has the wicked person despised God? He says to himself, ‘You will not demand an account.’
14 But You Yourself have seen trouble and grief, observing it in order to take the matter into Your hands.
The helpless entrusts himself to You; You are a helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil person; call his wickedness into account until nothing remains of it.
16 The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from His land.
17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully,
18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that men of the earth may terrify them no more.” (HCSB)
Jesus came to earth to share in the griefs of mankind; in fact, to bear them. He came to bear upon Himself the sins of all. He understands trouble and grief. Therefore, trust Him. The wicked says that God, if there is a God, will not worry about this world (almost deism), and that He will not demand an account. Oh, but do they have an awakening coming! Some of it may happen in this life, but it surely will in the next one.
“He who reigns above the sky
Once became as poor as I.
Poor and needy, though I be
God, my Maker, cares for me.”
–Old Scottish Psalter
“Where are you God?” you may cry, but then realize that He is standing right there next to you. He is ready to aid the afflicted. Now, what are you doing about it? Realize that many times the Lord uses us to help the helpless, needy, and afflicted.
Notice the last three verses. In the first part of the Psalm (1-11) David was reflecting on his feelings. He was letting them run amuck. Now, faith arises and takes over. Knowledge and faith go hand-in-hand, for without knowledge of the Almighty where would faith be? I know who God is, therefore, I will trust in Him!
Ponder this: What would happen if preachers would preach and pray like David? They, most likely, would be called bigots and haters. Should we then pray the prayers of David? They are Scripture. Hmmm, I think maybe we should, perhaps it is because we don’t that things that need to be accomplished are not.
I like this little prayer by George O. Wood:
“Lord, today I take my place with those who trust You. Thank You for giving me room to rage and question, but, even more, thank You for helping me gain stability. Thank You for giving me faith that all will end well because You do act on my behalf.”