April 8, 2023 -- Psalm 10:10-18 -- The Psalm Series: Waiting

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The helpless are crushed, sink down,
    and fall by his might.
11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten,
    he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
    forget not the afflicted.
13 Why does the wicked renounce God
    and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?
14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
    that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
    you have been the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
    call his wickedness to account till you find none.
16 The LORD is king forever and ever;
    the nations perish from his land.
17 O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
    you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
    so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
Psalm 10:10-18 ESV

Waiting. That is Holy Saturday—the day between Good Friday and the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. It is a day of waiting. Doesn’t it seem God’s people are always waiting? It is hard to wait when so much is going on. Today it is as it was for the people in Psalm 10; the people are facing hardship and cry out and wonder: “has God forgotten us?”

Think of the Exodus. When the people cried out, the assurance was given: God heard (chapter 2). They were as good as delivered. Pharoah was defeated. However, their deliverance from Egypt didn’t happen until ten chapters later, at 12:33 and following. It is already and not yet. The promises of God are already given, and are solid and reliable. However, the people have yet to experience it. They still lived through tremendous hardships until they saw the day of their exodus.

Holy Saturday exemplifies this as well. Jesus’ death has atoned for our sins. The Devil is disarmed, but the final victory of His resurrection is a day away. Symbolically we live in the already and not yet. Jesus came. Jesus suffered. Jesus died. He is risen. But mockers mock on. The helpless are crushed by evil doers. The Day of Judgment is at hand. All who are awaiting the full manifestation of Jesus’ majesty and glory know the day is near. It is like Holy Saturday. The day of waiting. But God’s deliverance and salvation is sure. It is near. Jesus will be revealed to all. Strengthen your heart, incline your ear, Jesus Christ is coming soon.

Our Father in heaven hallowed, blessed and honoured be Your Name now and forevermore. Thank You for the glorious salvation already given in Jesus Christ. As we await His coming on the clouds of glory, by Your Spirit make the word living in us and profoundly reassuring as we live through these of anticipation. Strengthen Your people facing persecution. Encourage the hearts of those who are discouraged. Revive Your people who are already called Your beloved sons and daughters and but are yet waiting for the fullest expression of that magnificent truth. Amen.

https://youtu.be/4s0Zb189Sco Chris Tomlin “Even So Come”

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