Today’s reading is Psalm 10.
While the psalmist and his faith come out on top even as the situation has gone from bad to worse, we need to recognize what a dangerous place he is in. His faith is on the edge of a knife. If it leans too far, it will topple off and be lost. Notice that the wicked in vs. 11 claim God “has hidden his face, he will never see it.” Does that sound familiar? In vs. 1, the psalmist had asked, “Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” The psalmist and the wicked are dangerously close in their opinions of God. In fact, it likely wouldn’t take much more to convince most people, if they were in the psalmists’ shoes, that the wicked were correct. The wicked are spouting lies about God: He doesn’t exist; He doesn’t see; He doesn’t care; He can’t win; He won’t judge. We will hear these same kinds of lies. In fact, modern atheists, agnostics, and skeptics spout them even today. They see suffering and sin go unaddressed in the world and claim God must not be out there. And, sadly, Christians fall for the lies every day. They are made to feel like fools for faith and prayer, and they finally give up. Don’t do it! Don’t give up! Don’t fall for the lies! God is there. God does see. God will win. God will judge. He does it for His reasons. He does it in His time. He will not be manipulated by atheists, agnostics, and skeptics who demand He jump through their hoops to satisfy their curiosities and questions. He has provided evidence of His existence and His work. It is sprinkled throughout our privileged planet. It is all over the accounts of Jesus and the effects He has had on the world. Hang on to Him. As He has done over and over again, He will always do. He will in the best time and in the best way break the arm of the wicked, that is, crush the strength of the wicked. He will do justice to the orphan and the oppressed. Don’t let go of God. Don’t fall for the lies.
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 10.
A Word for Our Kids
Hey kids, not everyone who claims “there is no God” acts the way the man in Psalm 10:2-11 does. But everyone who acts that way is saying by their actions that they don’t believe in God, not really. Oh, they may go to church. They may claim to believe with their lips. But their actions say otherwise. Even if they do give mental assent to God, their lives claim they don’t believe God’s existence matters. Sadly, some Christians even act that way. Maybe they don’t lie in ambush to murder someone, but they cut corners in business deals; they use shoddy materials and craftsmanship in their work; they lie when it is to their advantage; they take advantage of the poor and underprivileged in their business dealings. And when someone who claims to be a Christian acts this way, it doesn’t matter how often they go to church, their lives claim they don’t really believe. Don’t grow up to be one of those people. God exists. God is watching. He deserves to be served in truth and fulness. He deserves to be glorified in word and behavior. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
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