March 10, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

A Prayer for Rescue

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Opening Prayer

Loving Lord and Father, help me to feel Your closeness each day, especially in any times of trouble.

Read Psalm 10:1-18

For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.

[1] Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? [2] In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. [3] He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. [4] In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. [5] His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. [6] He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.” [7] His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. [8] He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims; [9] like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. [10] His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. [11] He says to himself, “God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees.” [12] Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. [13] Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”? [14] But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. [15] Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out. [16] The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. [17] You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, [18] defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Reflect

“Martin Luther …refers to God as ‘the hidden God,’ the idea that God always remains hidden unless and until he takes the initiative and makes himself known” (A. Leonard Griffith).

This picture of unscrupulous oppressors is an alarming one. Yet it is close to what we know of so many people throughout history who have abused power and tyrannized others. Here, they are described as arrogant (2), unjust (3), self-deluded (6), manipulative (7) and dangerous (8-10). They are bullies who take advantage of the vulnerable and care nothing for justice. They are malicious liars who have gotten their own way for so long that they do not think they have God to contend with. They trap, crush and annihilate their victims (9,10). 

In the face of all this wickedness, where is God? The cry of the psalmist echoes the cries of so many who are faced with injustice and abuse. Whether it is in the political realm, in war, at work or even within the family, there are so many who have been mistreated by others who have taken power for themselves. And the question is always; where is God? The psalmist calls upon God both to protect the innocent and helpless and to punish the wrongdoer. His passion and pleading are strong: surely, the evil one must face a reckoning! Break his arm! Stop the injustice! Don’t let him get away with it!

We don’t hear the end of the story in this psalm or find out what happens to the unscrupulous oppressor, but we do receive assurances that God hears and responds to those who are victimized. God is not mocked. He will defend the vulnerable. It helps us to know that our prayers for justice and the protection of the weak are never in vain. God is eternal, and tyrants are merely mortal (16,18). However untouchable they think they are, they will be held to account.

Apply

Pray now for those who are facing persecution, injustice and violence at the hands of people bent on destruction, and ask God what you might do to help.

Closing prayer

Father, I remember those struggling with suffering and abandonment. Make Yourself known to them and encourage them in their struggles.

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