Injustice

Psalm 10:1 CSB

Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble?

INTRO—

Have you ever looked around?

Likely when we find ourselves in a new situation,

Or when we encounter the unexpected in our normal routine.

Psalm 10:1 “Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble?”

Powerful Wicked [Psalm 10.2-11]

“THE WICKED”

[10.2-4, 10…& ‘he/his’ 10.5-9, 11]

Arrogant [10.2-4; some might want to say ‘Confident’; No God…or no God who can do anything to me!]

Secure [10.5-6; seemingly secure…even in the eyes of God’s people looking at ‘the wicked’]

Vile Mouth [10.7; utter an ‘oath,’ curse, swear; ((a word about taking God’s name in vain—we must realize that involves more than GD, OMG, etc….it involves claiming God is ok with my unbiblical attitude or actions, etc.]

Violent [10.8-10; ambush, kill, target, lurk, seize, oppress, beat down…sadly WE celebrate and applaud this today]

…The perspective (conclusion) of “the wicked” [10.11; emboldened even further to claim that there is NO God, or a God who hides and is inattentive/forgetful]

How utterly ‘untouchable’ the wicked are (seem to be)!!!

Call for Justice [Psalm 10.12-15]

“LORD GOD, RISE UP!”

[10.12a]

Lift up your hand. [10.12b; not a stop sign, but a I’ll stop you—essentially calling for God to bring his righteous power to bear against the wicked]

You do see. [10.13-14; the assertion that God does/will not see is…a delusion of the wicked; God has seen AND God has helped]

Break the arm of the wicked. [10.15; metaphorical; eschatological; ((…imprecatory (not a call for personal vengeance, but a call for God’s justice)…Think about this — it sounds harsh, but could this be redemptive in nature?))]

That wrong would fail and right would prevail…in accordance with God’s will, standard of righteousness and justice.

Trust the King [Psalm 16-18]

“THE LORD IS KING FOREVER AND EVER”

[10.16a; he is the SOVEREIGN LORD]

Nations & leaders will die. [10.16b; Good and bad alike—if we’re honest, we’re super grateful when wicked ones die, and much less so when our leader-heroes die]

He hears, listens [10.17a,c; hearing described as listening (and we can admit for us that there is often a difference of ‘merely’ hearing and fully listening)]

He strengthens [10.17b; hearts—the seat of emotions, an integral component of who we (people) are]

He brings justice [10.18.a; Justice = to contend for…on behalf of]

Peace instead of oppression.

CONCL—

Psalm 10:18 b “…so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more.”

Did you catch the object—the ones for whom—the psalmist desires justice?? [THEM!!]

Soooo...Here’s what I’m thinking. God’s word tells us that, not only is it honorable, it is also right and necessary for us to look around this world…and when we see those who would harm the fatherless, who would be in the lead of oppression of others—we should cry out to God to maintain the God-honoring perspective of justice advocates—we should be moved to action from our tears to be a blessing to them.

[[Continue: 2 Corinthians 7.8-13; 8.1-12 … & add Psalm 9]]

INVITATION:

Salvation

Help Me See [Help US see]

Preparing to Partake of the Lord’s Supper

THE LORD’S SUPPER

BODY OF CHRIST (Bread)

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””

BLOOD OF CHRIST (Cup)

1 Corinthians 11:25 “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

PROMISE OF CHRIST

1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Psalm 10:18 CSB

doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more.