Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? - Psalm 10:1
David Powlison continues his discussion of Psalm 10:1. Is the section of the psalm, the writer is searching for God in his time of trouble. How often have we've been in this situation in our lives:
Where are you? Where were you? Often this is the heart's first cry: "You have said that you love me, so why do you seem absent just when I am violated? Why don't I know your protection?"Psalm 10 can be seen as reflecting a crisis of faith. Have you ever wondered where God is?
This is a cry of faith. Jesus said almost identical words as his faith expressed its anguish: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" You are in the company of one who knows God yet has felt abandoned.
People can ask questions like these from two fundamentally different stances. For those who walk in the footsteps of this psalm, the questions express a cry of faith that looks to God. In trouble, they want God but feel overwhelmed and isolated. Other people express a cry of unbelief, hatred, and accusation. In trouble, they blame God. At first, it may not be clear which stance predominates. There may be mixed motives...."I believe, help my unbelief." But over time it always becomes clear whether we are processing our anguish through faith or through pride and unbelief. Psalm 10:1 speaks intimately and directly with trust in the Lord who is great, not with contempt for a god who seems impotent and uncaring.
No comments:
Post a Comment