Grace Notes: Small Devotions, Big Lessons

TUESDAY, 8 JULY 2025

TEXT: PSALM 10:1-11

[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.”

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THE TOUGHEST QUESTION.

Here, the Psalmist opens with this common question humanity asks in times of trouble: 'Where is God'? He appears to be in a state of despair and disappointment as he contrasts his plight with the apparent success of the wicked. This theological conundrum of the prosperity of the wicked has turned many people into atheists. This same question puzzled the authors of the book of Job and Psalm 73.

We would like to live in a world where high morals would guarantee the success and happiness of all. But as the Psalmist reminds us, this is not always the case. However, our God is a just King and is keeping account of the devil.

The Bible, in Revelation 22:11-12, gives the assurance: "Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong. Let the vile; continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be a holy person and continue to be holy. Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give each person according to what they have done" (Rev.22:11-12).

QUESTION: Are you disturbed by what appears to be the success of the wicked?

PRAYER: I am comforted, dear Lord, by the fact that one day, You will judge and reward every deed with justice, in Jesus' name. Amen!