Well we're going to look at Psalm 10, and I've entitled Psalm 10, "Where is God Now?" Well, I just want to say to you: I hope this isn't threatening. If you haven't asked that question yet, you will someday. If you're not suffering now, you will someday, and if you're not suffering now, you're near somebody who is.
We all go through those times when God feels distant. We all go through those moments when it seems like God is not hearing, he's uncaring, and inactive. Maybe we even go through those times when we are tempted to doubt his goodness, his faithfulness, and his love.
The words of Psalm 10:
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.
In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;
all his thoughts are, "There is no God."
His ways prosper at all times;
Now, notice what's happening here. Psalm 10 is one of many Psalms that reminds us that this struggle with what God is doing is a universal experience. And we wonder why God doesn't do something with the people who proudly mock him, who live lives of deceit, lives of oppression and injustice. It's the age-old question, "Why does it seem like the bad guys are winning?"
And what Psalm 10 reminds us of is God does see, God does keep an account, he is king forever who will bring final justice to the oppressed. Here's what Psalm 10 introduces us to: it's a tension that we will all live with between the "already" of our conversion and the "not yet" of the final kingdom. And I want you to listen carefully. We live in a world where bad things happen and here's why: because of God's heart of mercy, he gives many more people time to confess and repent and turn. That means his judgment waits.
God's mercy reigns, so his judgment waits. That means you and I are going to live in a messy world because God, in mercy, gives day after day after day so that those who do not know him, those who do not serve him, are given another day, another moment to confess to turn and to repent. His mercy means a messy world because his judgment waits.
So, how do you live in this world where bad things are going to happen, where it looks like the wrong people are winning? Well, you take God at his Word. You trust that he is who he says he is. And you don't give way to feelings of despair when he doesn't seem near and he doesn't seem active.
God is a God of awesome mercy. He says that he does not find pleasure in the death of the wicked, but he turns to rebellious creatures, and he says, "Turn, turn, won't you turn and live?"
Because of that mercy, we will live in a messy world. God has given us his guarantee that mess will end, and we will finally one day be ushered into a world of peace and righteousness forever and ever and ever again. Mercy will triumph over judgment!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. Consider a time when you felt (or still feel) "hotly pursued" by the wicked? Did (or does) the Lord feel far away, hiding himself from you and delaying to answer your calls for help? In what ways do the ungodly people around you seem to be prospering, while you try to be faithful to the Lord and only seem to experience trouble after trouble? What was (or is) your response and interaction with God during these difficult times?
2. How has the Lord been merciful and patient with you, both prior to your salvation and throughout your sanctification? When has he spared judgement or consequences when you deserved it? Are you too harsh and quick to condemn others? Who have you refused to forgive, or are too slow to forgive?
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children: Have you ever gotten lost or separated from mommy or daddy (or grandparents or guardian) when you were out in the store or in a park or at church? Were you scared when you felt far away? But were you actually lost, or did you just lose sight of us and we were right there the entire time? God might sometimes feel far away from you (perhaps tell a story when God felt far away from you), but God will never be far from you ever. If God feels far away, you might just be looking the wrong way. Did you know that you can talk to God when he feels far away, and he will always hear you.
For Older Children: Is there someone, or several people, who always picks on you or tries to make your life difficult? Do your peers who do the wrong thing seem to be prospering, even though they are breaking the rules? Do you feel that you are getting "punished" for living a God-honoring life? How does this tempt you to follow the ways of the wicked? What promises has God made to reward his righteous children who follow him, even during times of trouble?
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