Today’s Reading: Psalm 10
Psalm 10:1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
At a young age, you only know what you know. We went to church at times but what happened, what I heard, and what I witnessed was different than my experiences at home. The worldly choices made by my family and self got in the way of any connections the Lord was calling us to. Selfishness, lies, and addictions took the front seat and we did the hiding from God. I would become a master at hiding physically, mentally, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually. Still only like God can do, He would find me.
According to my study bible, Psalm 10 is one of the Lament Psalms. Laments typically have five components which can appear in any order: (1) an invocation, or cry to God; (2) a complaint – description of a crisis; (3) a petition; (4) a statement of confidence in the Lord; and (5) a vow to praise God. Laments typically arise from a specific situation, and understanding that situation can help readers apply its truths to their own experience.
For me, I remember literally crying out. Poor me, why this, why that? I had lost my earthly father at an early age. Even before this memory, I could remember the addictions and fallouts from that. It impacted our whole family. This was the path I knew. My desires to live a life about myself and in the world filled me with an emptiness that no earthly pleasures could fill. Trouble surrounded me. The only answer was God. God saw my arrogance, my afflictions, and humbled me to my knees. ( I still need this more than I want to admit.) He showed me through my wife, family, and others that this vapor of life should only point to Him if you want any fullness and peace. In any moments where God seems hidden and you are needing to cry out, know He is always there. Just like you, just like me, I needed to open my eyes, listen, and have faith in His plan for my life and not try to do everything for myself and by myself.
Christ’s love can break any cycles of the past. 2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here!
Why do I believe? I believe because God’s grace, love, and plans for my life are bigger and better than I will ever know or imagined. Jesus changes everything. He transformed my life, my family, and He can change yours.
Psalm 10: 16-18 The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
Dear God, thank you for changing our downward trajectory. Thank you for loving us and making us new. I know Your work in us is ongoing. Please take away our pride so we can be more like you. Amen Be Blessed