The Right Confidence

“Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why

do You hide in times of trouble? The wicked

in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be

caught in the plots which they have devised.

“For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;

he blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.

The wicked in his proud countenance does not

Seek God; God is in none of his thoughts."

     Psalm 10:1-4 (NKJV)

The psalmist cries out about the wicked who are prospering. Indeed, the wicked are proud and boastful. They oppress the vulnerable and persecute the poor.  And they seem to commit their evil acts without hindrance or consequence. The psalmist questions (as many others do, even today) why God appears to do nothing about it, why He seems to stand afar off.

“Arise, O Lord!  O God, lift up Your hand!

Do not forget the humble. Why do the

wicked renounce God? He has said in his

heart, ‘You will not require an account.’

“But You have seen, for You observe

trouble and grief to repay it by Your hand.

The helpless commits himself to You;

You are the helper of the fatherless.

Break the arm of the wicked and the evil

man; seek out his wickedness until You

find none."

     Psalm 10:12-15 (NKJV)

The wicked have also renounced God. They think they can get away with their evil, that they will never be held to account. Their confidence is in their pride and arrogance. This folly will be their downfall because God sees everything, including all they do. And although God is longsuffering, one day He will cause an end to oppression and persecution, He will bring judgment to bear on all evil doers.

“The Lord is King forever and ever; the

nations have perished out of His land.

Lord, You have heard the desire of the

humble; You will prepare their heart;

You will cause Your ear to hear; to do

justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

that the man of the earth may oppress

no more.”

     Psalm 10:16-18 (NKJV)

By contrast, the humble commit their cause to the Lord. They know that He is not indifferent to their needs and concerns. The helpless trust that God hears and will answer them. They know that while the wicked may be successful for a time, God ultimately will bring justice and cut them off. God confirms the hearts of His suffering people and He never forsakes them, even in the midst of difficult times.

Make sure your confidence is in the Lord today and every day.