Choose Faith
“Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1
When David wrote the words of the verse above, he may have felt like the soldier back in 1945 who had the rare chance to make a phone call to his mom. Of course, in those days the soldier had to go through an operator. There were no cell phones and making a call was an extremely rare opportunity. As the operator dialed his mom’s number the soldier waited expectantly…no answer…finally, the operator said, “You’ll have to call back later.” The soldier’s heart sank.
David too felt abandoned, like God was saying “Call back later?” He wondered why God didn’t act right away, especially considering the arrogance of the wicked. He laments that, “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” (Psalm 10:4) David doesn’t understand why God doesn’t do something immediately to intervene in his situation. Why does God seem to “stand far off?”
I believe that the Bible includes David’s lament here and in similar passages because God wants us to know it’s ok to ask such questions; he understands why we feel this way. But he also wants us to see David’s response to his lament.
David decides to trust God even when he doesn’t understand God’s timing. He writes in verse 14: “But you, God, do see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand.” He affirms God’s authority and sovereignty, proclaiming: “The Lord is King for ever and ever” (vs. 16). He recognizes that God is aware of his needs. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” (vs. 17). Instead of giving in to the temptation to lose faith he chooses faith.
Like David, when we are prone to ask, “Where is God?” in times of trouble and affliction, we should ultimately choose faith rather than lose faith as we trust God for His perfect timing and deliverance.
Does it feel like God is “standing far off” today? Keep praying! Keep trusting!
Having begun as a guest speaker in 2005, Dan was appointed Interim Pastor in 2008 and has been serving Maple Root Baptist ever since. As a small group leader and Chaplin for the Connecticut Tigers, Dan has a heart for the lost and the God that saves them.