Devotional of the Week June 14-20

Psalm 10: 1-14

"Why standest thou afar aff, O LORD? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the coveteous, whom the LORD abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgements are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: He hideth his face; he will never see it. Arise O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee, thou art the helper of the fatherless."

In our troubles it sometimes does feel as if God is afar off from us. We cry, weep, and pray, but somehow it seems that He does not hear us. At times it seems that the enemy is getting the upperhand, and we feel weak and defeated. When the wicked see that punishment from God is neither immediate or swift, they become emboldened, and deceive themselves into thinking that God neither sees nor cares to punish them.

How wrong they are! God does see every act of persecution against His people. He does care when we are hurt. Make no mistake, God may be slow in anger, but His justice is sure against all those who wrong others. Are you suffering at the hands of someone? Are you being persecuted by others? Hold on in faith and put your trust in God. He will rescue and defend you.