"Why,
O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of
trouble?" (1). This question can be turned around. God puts the question
to us, “Why, in your times of trouble, do you stand far off?” In this
Psalm, God is inviting us to think about the kind of people we are
becoming. Are we turning away from God? Or Are we turning towards Him?
It’s either one or the other – turning towards God or turning away from
Him. * We read about “the wicked man” who “hunts down the weak” (v. 2).
He thinks only of himself – “He boasts of the cravings of his heart.”
There is no place for the Lord in his life – “he reviles the Lord. In
his pride the wicked does not seek Him: in all his thoughts there is no
room for God”(vs. 3-4). Things are going well for him – “His ways are
always prosperous.” He doesn’t give thanks to God – “he is haughty and
Your laws are far from him.” He thinks that everything will keep on
going his way – “He says to himself, ‘Nothing will shake me; I’ll always
be happy and never have trouble.’” (vs. 5-6). The wicked man shows
contempt towards other people – “he sneers at all his enemies” (v. 5) –
“His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are
under his tongue. He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he
murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. He lies in
wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he
catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. His victims are
crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength” (vs. 7-10). The
wicked man thinks that he can do what he likes – “He says to himself,
‘God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees.’” (v. 11). Are we
becoming like the wicked man? God is calling us to turn back to Him. *
“Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless”
(v.12). God is calling us to return to Him. He’s calling us to turn away
from the way of the wicked. He’s calling us to walk with Him. When we
pray, “Do not forget the helpless”, we begin by praying, “Lord, remember
me, I need Your help.” We read about “the wicked” (vs. 13, 15). We read
about “the victim” (v. 14). What is God saying to us? He’s saying to
us, “Don’t be like the wicked man who reviles God. Don’t be like the
wicked man who says to himself, “He won’t call me to account” (v. 13).
He’s saying to us, “Be like the victim – ‘The victim commits himself to
You; You are the helper of the fatherless’ (v. 14).” He’s saying to us,
“There will be judgment – ‘the wicked and evil man will be called to
account for his wickedness’ (v. 15).” He’s calling us back from the way
that leads to judgment. He’s calling us to acknowledge that He “is King
for ever and ever” (v. 16). He’s calling us to come to Him with “the
desire of the afflicted” (v. 17). He’s speaking to us His Word of
encouragement, assuring that we need not live in fear of man (vs.
17-18). Saved by the Lord, let us walk with Him in the pathway of
victory.
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