Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

 Psalm 10:1–18:

1 Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

2  In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; 

let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 

3  For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, 

and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. 

4  In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; 

all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” 

5  His ways prosper at all times; 

your judgments are on high, out of his sight; 

as for all his foes, he puffs at them. 

6  He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; 

throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” 

7  His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; 

under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. 

8  He sits in ambush in the villages; 

in hiding places he murders the innocent. 

His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; 

9  he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; 

he lurks that he may seize the poor; 

he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. 

10  The helpless are crushed, sink down, 

and fall by his might. 

11  He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, 

he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” 

12  Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; 

forget not the afflicted. 

13  Why does the wicked renounce God 

and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? 

14  But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, 

that you may take it into your hands; 

to you the helpless commits himself; 

you have been the helper of the fatherless. 

15  Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; 

call his wickedness to account till you find none. 

16  The Lord is king forever and ever; 

the nations perish from his land. 

17  O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; 

you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 

18  to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, 

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

Have you ever felt that this is true, that when you most need Him, God is hiding? If so, you will probably relate to David's words in this psalm. He too wondered why God seems so far off when trouble comes. So he rants to God about it, getting his concerns and fears off his chest by telling God about the harm and distress he sees going. He lets God that he sees it is not fair that those unable to help themselves are persecuted. Yet the powerful. greedy people who have no regard for God are successful and the cause of  oppression. As you consider the world today - has much changed?

The reason for a lot of suffering and oppression is often because those who do not follow God are getting their own way (v3). They are interested in what they can get out of life at whatever cost and do not care that others may be negatively affected by their pursuits. The wicked boast of their; lifestyle, riches, power and desires unhindered and seemingly unopposed. They have a disregard for others and for the concept that there may even be a God - they are the master of their own worth and destiny (v11 &13). Yet what they desire never seems satisfied and so they go further from God and descend into greater chaos, ignorance and sin. Their wicked desires can never be fulfilled. There will never be enough; money, time, entertainment, knowledge or physical pleasure to fulfil their lives, but they seek more and more and end up drowning in despair, chaos and sin. Yet they know not what they are doing - they do not realise that this endless unsatisfying cycle can stop when they begin to know God. These people are seen as wicked and determined in their sinful ways, and so they can be, yet, is it not actually sad that these people are missing out on satisfaction, hope and fulfilment? They are growing in sin because they do not know God and so they do not really know themselves nor the way to contentment and they don't know it. This is why David invites God to, ‘Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none’. David requests that God break the strength of the wicked so that the suffering of others may stop but also so that they can be called to account. The best solution David sees is that these 'evildoers' realise their wrongs and receive the full forgiveness of God. That is David's plea for the corruption that he witnesses - is that yours? Often we pray for the demise and destruction of the wicked and their schemes, but do you pray for the salvation and restoration of their souls? David prayed for their transformation, that God would so change them that no wickedness could be found in them. Has not God done that for you? Transformed your life from one of wicked intent to a life seeking to honour and obey Him? So, should you not join David as he yearns for the breaking of the strength of the wicked and for their salvation? Even the person furthest away from God has a need for Him they just haven’t found it yet. God has not yet broken their arm and called them to account, but He will. 

when David sees situations that are unjust and unfair he goes to God about it. He rants and pours out his experience and what he witnesses, then he lets God knows what he thinks and seeks God for a radical solution, knowing that God is king of it all. Instead of asking for the wicked to be beaten and diminished, he asks for their salvation. Instead of praying that the oppressed and poor will be elevated, he asks that God will strengthen, help, hear and do justice for them. How do you pray for those far from God and for those whom are suffering? 

David has come to realise that even when God seems to be doing nothing, God is aware. He is not actually hiding or closing His eyes to what is happening. God has His plan we don't know what it is. So we have to wait and trust Him knowing that God is good and that He cares for HIs people. When you next encounter a situation where you wonder what God is doing try praying like David - let God know what you see, remember who God is and pray for radical solutions like salvation and strength for, 'The Lord is king forever and ever' He has a longer-term vision than we ever could have asHe has reigned and will reign forever so do not worry, God has it all in hand.