Today’s Reading: Psalm 10

“Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1)

This Psalm is about David's disgust over evil. When he observed the success that the wicked were having in their evil schemes he was provoked to cry out to God: Why Lord? How can you stand around while trouble falls upon the poor and innocent?

Every godly person wrestles with this at some point in their devotion to God. It's easy to observe the world and become overwhelmed by the evil that is taking place. Truly, wickedness is persistent and relentless at every corner. Evil appears to have no end!

Does God care? Does He intend to let the wicked rule win? David confidently answers these questions by the end of the Psalm.

“The LORD is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.” (Psalm 10:16–18)

Yes! The Lord does care and He does sustain the humble man. But even more, God has given His people the promise that one day He will rend the heavens and put an end to all injustice. God has His sights set on a near future day.

While the godless mock Christ's coming, believing things will continue as they always have (see 2 Peter 3:4), He will come at an hour they least expect. He will rule as King forever and ever, and the final blow against evil and wickedness shall come by the edge of Christ's sword (see Isaiah 63:1-6, Revelation 19:11-16).

But why does He wait? With all of the evil going on, why doesn't He rend the heavens today? He very well may, Beloved! But we must not forget that we serve a patient and longsuffering God who is not willing that any should perish (see 2 Peter 3:9). Yes, He hates evil. He abhors it. It aches His heart to see His once good creation completely corrupted. But God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to save the world from condemnation, and He will wait until the last possible moment to ensure all have had an opportunity to come to the knowledge of the Truth.

So do not be dismayed! The final act of human history will soon be closed, and God will render to each one according to his deeds. But! — until that Day comes, God seeks out the sinner. And praise Him that He does, for He sought us out. He goes into the highways and the byways. He leaves the fold to find that one lost sheep. He is waiting to receive all who will repent.

May God give us His heart for sinners! Be angry at evil, yes, but be broken over the evil person. Is it a small thing that they should be cast into hell at any moment for their wickedness? Does it not humble you to consider that we were once on the same path as they until the love of the Savior found us?

Therefore, let us consider this, dear friend, that God does not stand idle while evil happens. All things are open and naked to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account (see Hebrews 4:13). God's Spirit is ever convicting the world of sin, of righteousness and the judgment to come in order that His banqueting table may be filled.

“Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18)

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