8-15-06 Psalms; 10 1, 2

Psalms 10: 1, 2 (KJ21)
Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor; let them be caught in the devices that they have contrived.

Psalms 10: 1, 2 (NAS)
Why dost Thou stand afar off, O LORD? Why dost Thou hide Thyself in times of trouble? In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

Psalms 10: 1, 2 (NIVUS)
Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

Psalms 10: 1, 2 (NLT)
O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most? Proud and wicked people viciously oppress the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.

Has God ever seemed remote and far away? Does it seem that He has ceased to listen to your prayers? You think He is employed elsewhere or has gone abroad. He may have withdrawn and is a good way off. You are not alone in thinking and feeling as you do. Even the psalmist David found himself in these same circumstances.

When you face adversity, affliction, and trouble, you know to turn to the Lord Jehovah for help. However, sometimes when you find yourself in a tight place or are going through a sorrowful time, you may feel that God has hidden Himself from you. He has veiled Himself from your sight. The way out of your affliction is kept secret. At these times, you need to keep your faith strong in God and His word. You must believe that what He said He meant. He said He would never leave you nor forsake you. Whether you feel His presence or not does not change His word. He is with you to deliver you.

The actively wicked and ungodly man, in his arrogance and pride, will hotly pursue and persecute you, when you are depressed, needy, and poor. He wants to burn you, so that you will become inflamed against Adonai, the Most High God. However, when your enemy chases you with his flames, you should realize that the Lord will manipulate his plans and devices. Your adversary will be surprised and then captured in his own plots. What he conceived and imagined for you will stop him in his tracks.

Therefore, when God seems silent, you should remember that He is working against your foes. When the heavens are quiet, the Lord is laying traps of His own.