Psalm 10:12
‘Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Thine hand, forget not the helpless.’
It always amazes me how relevant God’s Word is today, even though it was compiled centuries ago. In this psalm, David shows himself to be a man who isn’t getting his ‘Why?’ questions answered. He trusts God completely but doesn’t understand why unjust things happen. You may be feeling the same today. Often in our family life, people who were partners can turn against each other cruelly. In our workplace, we may witness colleagues being compromised or taken advantage of. In our country, one community may discriminate against another. In our world, nation may attack another with little provocation. Where is God when life gets grubby, threatening and scary?
The Psalmist calls on God to arise, act for the helpless victims and against the perpetrators. He knows God sees and listens but is frustrated that He doesn’t appear to do anything. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
While the day of justice may still be in the future, the promise of encouragement is in the present. We can trust God even though we see oppression and injustice reigning. We know He loves the helpless, grief-stricken and oppressed – so much that He became one of them literally.
God personally identified with all victims for all time when He came as Jesus and lived among sin, dying an undeserved horrific death for each of us.
Prayer: Lord, the world is filled with so many tragedies and injustices. We always search for meaning and reasons, but we are human and can’t see from Your vantage point. Make us aware that You do see and listen; just because we don’t see Your response in particular situations, we know that by living and dying as one of us, Your Son has intimate experience of unjust suffering. Help us to trust Your wisdom and give us the encouragement and strength that only You can give. Amen