“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1 ESV
If you have ever asked this question, then welcome to the club. As human beings with limited vision and understanding, it is all too common to wonder why God is seemingly silent in the face of evil. The psalmist is no different and even dared to pen his questions: Where is God in all of this? Perhaps God doesn’t really care after all? Maybe God is too lofty or busy to involve Himself in our problems?
The fact that we struggle with God’s purpose is nothing new. We all entertain doubts and questions when it comes to His plan. Yet our struggle is not necessarily with what God is or isn’t doing, but our expectations of how a sovereign God should respond when evil seems to be gaining the upper hand. Doesn’t He care that the wicked are winning?
Verse 14 offers us a glimpse into God’s ways. “But You …”. Two pivotal words that whisper hope. They breathe expectation. They hint of transformation. They proclaim God’s sovereignty and His dominion over all of creation. They transform the impossible into the possible. “But You do see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them…”
Our problem is that we mistake silence for absence. Just because we can’t see His plan, doesn’t mean He isn’t at work. Sometimes His silence is nothing more than His ‘just wait’ because He is moving everything into place.
Prayer: When I grow impatient, Lord, remind me to be still and remember that You are God and not me. I may not be able to see or understand your plan from down here, but one day it will all be revealed. Until that heavenly ‘aha’ moment, still my soul. In your name I pray, Amen.
Thought: “Evil may put up its strongest fight but the cross has the final word.” – Newsboys