Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them. Psalm 10: 17-18 NLT
Do you remember ever feeling completely helpless?
What happened to cause such feelings?
What did you do?
If you talked to God at that time, what did you say?
Do you feel that God heard your cries?
How did you get out of your situation or are you still there?
Psalm 10 ends on a message of hope. God does hear our cries for help. God listens to us. God comforts us. God brings justice to those who are helpless. God knows who the orphans and the oppressed are. God will provide for us, for the helpless so that others will not longer terrify their lives.
May you remember this when you feel oppressed, helpless or even hopeless. May God hear your cries, comfort you and bring you justice.
Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label Psalm 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 10. Show all posts
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Lord is king forever and ever!
But you do see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of orphans. Break the arms of these wicked, evil people! Go after them until the last one is destroyed! The Lord is king forever and ever! Let those who worship other gods be swept from the land. Psalm 10: 14-16 NLT
At last we see the problem: those who are not worshipping God are the ones who are wicked, evil and do such awful deeds.
This reminds me of how different the Hebrews were compared to others who lived in and around the land of Canaan. The non-believers had no such codes like the commandments of not murdering or honoring one's parents. Child sacrifice, killing orphans, taking advantage of those who were already downtrodden was a way of life. God's commandments created a people who were very different from those living in the Promised Land. It is no wonder that God forbade intermarriage with the native people; God did not want God's followers to become so evil.
What makes you, a believer in Christ, different from non-believers around you? Would visitors to your workplace know without a doubt that you were a Christian? When you go to the store or the doctor's office, would people see you as a follower of Christ? Do you find yourself taking on more and more of the culture around you rather than the characteristics of a follower of Jesus?
God, help us to be your people. Set us apart, help us to be more holy as we follow you. May we not be lured by the supposed benefits of this world but focus on your kingdom instead. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
At last we see the problem: those who are not worshipping God are the ones who are wicked, evil and do such awful deeds.
This reminds me of how different the Hebrews were compared to others who lived in and around the land of Canaan. The non-believers had no such codes like the commandments of not murdering or honoring one's parents. Child sacrifice, killing orphans, taking advantage of those who were already downtrodden was a way of life. God's commandments created a people who were very different from those living in the Promised Land. It is no wonder that God forbade intermarriage with the native people; God did not want God's followers to become so evil.
What makes you, a believer in Christ, different from non-believers around you? Would visitors to your workplace know without a doubt that you were a Christian? When you go to the store or the doctor's office, would people see you as a follower of Christ? Do you find yourself taking on more and more of the culture around you rather than the characteristics of a follower of Jesus?
God, help us to be your people. Set us apart, help us to be more holy as we follow you. May we not be lured by the supposed benefits of this world but focus on your kingdom instead. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
God on Vacation?
The helpless are overwhelmed and collapse; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked. They wicked say to themselves, "God isn't watching! he will never notice!" Arise O Lord! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not forget the helpless! Why do the wicked get away with cursing God? How can they think, "God will never call us to account?" Psalm 10: 10-13 NLT
We have thoroughly seen the wicked and their victims described. Now the question is: God where have you been while all this is going on? The wicked are taking advantage of your supposed absence!
Where has God been? Verse 12 acts like God has been asleep or just laying around on a cloud somewhere being serenaded by angels. God, wake up! Can't you see what is happening all around us? Don't the helpless need you to save them? Don't the wicked deserve punishment for all their awful deeds?
Have you ever felt as though God had gone on vacation in your life? What was happening to make it appear that God was not acting on your behalf? Did you feel forgotten? Did you appeal for some action on God's behalf?
Did you ever consider that perhaps it was you who went on vacation from God? Whether or not we are among the wicked, we will be called to account. God doesn't sleep or ignore us. God is there with us, sometimes answering us right away, and other times not responding to our petitions in the way we want. God's timing is perfect, however, and we must not give up hope.
God, forgive us when we take vacations from you. Help us to know your presence, even when our prayers and petitions go unanswered. Thank you for the gift of hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
We have thoroughly seen the wicked and their victims described. Now the question is: God where have you been while all this is going on? The wicked are taking advantage of your supposed absence!
Where has God been? Verse 12 acts like God has been asleep or just laying around on a cloud somewhere being serenaded by angels. God, wake up! Can't you see what is happening all around us? Don't the helpless need you to save them? Don't the wicked deserve punishment for all their awful deeds?
Have you ever felt as though God had gone on vacation in your life? What was happening to make it appear that God was not acting on your behalf? Did you feel forgotten? Did you appeal for some action on God's behalf?
Did you ever consider that perhaps it was you who went on vacation from God? Whether or not we are among the wicked, we will be called to account. God doesn't sleep or ignore us. God is there with us, sometimes answering us right away, and other times not responding to our petitions in the way we want. God's timing is perfect, however, and we must not give up hope.
God, forgive us when we take vacations from you. Help us to know your presence, even when our prayers and petitions go unanswered. Thank you for the gift of hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Monday, April 18, 2011
Bragging about Evil
Proud and wicked people viciously oppress the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord. Psalm 10: 2-3 NLT
What does a proud and wicked person look like? I imagine some self-absorbed and greedy wall street financier with a three piece designer suit.
How does one viciously oppress the poor? Run over a homeless person in your Lamborghini? Break into a food pantry and steel everything, taking all the food to the dump?
And who brags about the evil things they want to do? Someone in the mob? A playground bully?
I believe that many wealthy and famous people can be greedy. They are often praised because others admire or envy their status. Sometimes I also think that accumulating wealth can make a person greedy. Do evil people praise others who are like them?
It is tempting to see atheists as cursing the Lord. However, since atheists don't believe in God, I don't think a true atheist would be cursing something they don't believe exists. Someone who believed yet was deeply hurt by life circumstance or loss and blames God would be one who curses the Lord. Or, that person simply relies on themselves rather than God and sees only their own efforts as the catalyst for getting what they want out of life. "Forget God, I'll do it myself!" they say.
Do you know any proud and wicked people? What is your own response in light of their actions and misdeeds? Do you think anyone considers you to be proud or wicked?
God, we are often surrounded by the wicked, the greedy and the oppressor. May we not be among those proud and evil people! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
What does a proud and wicked person look like? I imagine some self-absorbed and greedy wall street financier with a three piece designer suit.
How does one viciously oppress the poor? Run over a homeless person in your Lamborghini? Break into a food pantry and steel everything, taking all the food to the dump?
And who brags about the evil things they want to do? Someone in the mob? A playground bully?
I believe that many wealthy and famous people can be greedy. They are often praised because others admire or envy their status. Sometimes I also think that accumulating wealth can make a person greedy. Do evil people praise others who are like them?
It is tempting to see atheists as cursing the Lord. However, since atheists don't believe in God, I don't think a true atheist would be cursing something they don't believe exists. Someone who believed yet was deeply hurt by life circumstance or loss and blames God would be one who curses the Lord. Or, that person simply relies on themselves rather than God and sees only their own efforts as the catalyst for getting what they want out of life. "Forget God, I'll do it myself!" they say.
Do you know any proud and wicked people? What is your own response in light of their actions and misdeeds? Do you think anyone considers you to be proud or wicked?
God, we are often surrounded by the wicked, the greedy and the oppressor. May we not be among those proud and evil people! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Early Horror Movie
Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats. Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues. They lurk in dark alleys, murdering the innocent who pass by. They are always searching for some helpless victim. Like lions they crouch silently, waiting to pounce on the helpless. Like hunters they capture their victims and drag them away in nets. Psalm 10: 7-9 NLT
Okay, these verse of Psalm 10 sound more like lines from a horror movie about vampires. Cursing, lies, threats, and crouching in wait to pounce on their next victim in a dark alley sound more like an evil demon than a human being. Has the psalmist gone too far? Are these Hebrews we see doing all this cursing and murdering? Do we take these verse literally or figuratively?
To the psalmist it seems as though wicked people are always cursing, telling lies and giving threats although that could very well be the case. Are they always searching for a helpless victim? Do we see a picture of an early ambulance chaser? Do they simply take advantage of those in helpless situations without a care for the person? But to lurk in dark alleyways, murdering innocent passersby is a bit much.
As these verse really get my imagination going, I am going to say we need to understand the meaning behind what is being said rather than taking these verses as literally what is going on. Certainly when verse 9 begins with "like" we can understand that the wicked can be compared to a lion ready to pounce. We can infer that the evil people have the same characteristics as hunters who capture their victims, dragging them away to a secret lair. And the ones who curse and plan evil are like those in wait in dark alleys to commit crimes.
Horror movie imagery aside, we are to understand that there is nothing redeeming about those who are wicked and do evil deeds. Thank goodness we are not the ones who have to do the redeeming!
God, you are never far away and you know what is going on in our lives. You are the one who redeems us and any sinner who calls on your name. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Okay, these verse of Psalm 10 sound more like lines from a horror movie about vampires. Cursing, lies, threats, and crouching in wait to pounce on their next victim in a dark alley sound more like an evil demon than a human being. Has the psalmist gone too far? Are these Hebrews we see doing all this cursing and murdering? Do we take these verse literally or figuratively?
To the psalmist it seems as though wicked people are always cursing, telling lies and giving threats although that could very well be the case. Are they always searching for a helpless victim? Do we see a picture of an early ambulance chaser? Do they simply take advantage of those in helpless situations without a care for the person? But to lurk in dark alleyways, murdering innocent passersby is a bit much.
As these verse really get my imagination going, I am going to say we need to understand the meaning behind what is being said rather than taking these verses as literally what is going on. Certainly when verse 9 begins with "like" we can understand that the wicked can be compared to a lion ready to pounce. We can infer that the evil people have the same characteristics as hunters who capture their victims, dragging them away to a secret lair. And the ones who curse and plan evil are like those in wait in dark alleys to commit crimes.
Horror movie imagery aside, we are to understand that there is nothing redeeming about those who are wicked and do evil deeds. Thank goodness we are not the ones who have to do the redeeming!
God, you are never far away and you know what is going on in our lives. You are the one who redeems us and any sinner who calls on your name. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Life Isn't Fair
These wicked people are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They pour scorn on all their enemies. They say to themselves, "Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!" Psalm 10: 4-6 NLT
Have you ever known someone who could get away with anything? They could do something immoral or illegal yet land on their feet every time. Perhaps they might be bad behind the scenes but well-loved by the public or maybe just their grandma. No one could imagine them doing anything bad!
The sad part is not that there is a punishment that awaits them. The sad part is our own jealousy. We see them getting away with all these awful things and not suffering for it. They prosper and are well-liked. Their popularity even increases when anything bad they have done comes to light.
Meanwhile, we follow the rules, obey the commandments, go to church, and try to do all the good we can. What is our reward? Suffering, economic hardship, loss, difficulties -- you name it. How can these evil people always prosper while we decline? Why does everyone like them and ignore us? God, how fair is that?
Our reward is our relationship with God. We are not too proud to seek God. We know that God lives. That is worthy more than fame, fortune or popularity.
God, life just does not seem fair at times. Why do all the wicked and immoral people prosper? Why do we struggle from day to day while trying to follow you? Help us to realize our worth in your eyes and strengthen our ties to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Have you ever known someone who could get away with anything? They could do something immoral or illegal yet land on their feet every time. Perhaps they might be bad behind the scenes but well-loved by the public or maybe just their grandma. No one could imagine them doing anything bad!
The sad part is not that there is a punishment that awaits them. The sad part is our own jealousy. We see them getting away with all these awful things and not suffering for it. They prosper and are well-liked. Their popularity even increases when anything bad they have done comes to light.
Meanwhile, we follow the rules, obey the commandments, go to church, and try to do all the good we can. What is our reward? Suffering, economic hardship, loss, difficulties -- you name it. How can these evil people always prosper while we decline? Why does everyone like them and ignore us? God, how fair is that?
Our reward is our relationship with God. We are not too proud to seek God. We know that God lives. That is worthy more than fame, fortune or popularity.
God, life just does not seem fair at times. Why do all the wicked and immoral people prosper? Why do we struggle from day to day while trying to follow you? Help us to realize our worth in your eyes and strengthen our ties to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Friday, April 15, 2011
Why do you hide when I need you most?
O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you most? Psalm 10:1 NLT
I was reading a commentary recently concerning Jesus' quote of Psalm 22 from the cross (My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?). The article stated that in Jesus' day if you quoted the first verse or line of a scripture, you were actually quoting the entire chapter. I suppose if you had studied scripture closely enough, you, the listener, would be able to remember the rest of the chapter and could say it to yourself.
The psalms were not only studied but sung or chanted in worship, so it would be very familiar to most Jews. I was thinking of some familiar hymns we would know today. What if I said: "Amazing grace how sweet the sound." Would you be able to continue that verse? How about the whole hymn?
The remainder of this psalm is a lament against the wicked and how they seem to get away with doing evil all the time. For me this verse is the most powerful of the whole psalm, perhaps because it is the only verse that is personal. And I have had times in my life when God seemed far away or it felt like God was hiding from me.
Here the psalmist feels the absence of God because the wicked are not only getting away with doing bad things but they are also succeeding in life. The wicked have prospered so much that they even deny the existence of God. The psalmist is ready for God to step in and do something about these awful people.
Are you ready for God to step in and take action in your life?
God, why do you sometimes seem to stand so far away? Why does it seem like you hide when I need you most? Help me, God, help me! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
I was reading a commentary recently concerning Jesus' quote of Psalm 22 from the cross (My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?). The article stated that in Jesus' day if you quoted the first verse or line of a scripture, you were actually quoting the entire chapter. I suppose if you had studied scripture closely enough, you, the listener, would be able to remember the rest of the chapter and could say it to yourself.
The psalms were not only studied but sung or chanted in worship, so it would be very familiar to most Jews. I was thinking of some familiar hymns we would know today. What if I said: "Amazing grace how sweet the sound." Would you be able to continue that verse? How about the whole hymn?
The remainder of this psalm is a lament against the wicked and how they seem to get away with doing evil all the time. For me this verse is the most powerful of the whole psalm, perhaps because it is the only verse that is personal. And I have had times in my life when God seemed far away or it felt like God was hiding from me.
Here the psalmist feels the absence of God because the wicked are not only getting away with doing bad things but they are also succeeding in life. The wicked have prospered so much that they even deny the existence of God. The psalmist is ready for God to step in and do something about these awful people.
Are you ready for God to step in and take action in your life?
God, why do you sometimes seem to stand so far away? Why does it seem like you hide when I need you most? Help me, God, help me! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
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