Trusting the God Who Sees

Sermon Title: Trusting the God Who Sees (Show Slide 1)

Sermon Text: Psalm 10:1-18

Good morning church family and guests! It’s a great privilege to open the word of God with you today. I'd like to begin with a question: Have you ever looked at the current state of the world and asked yourself, "Where is God?" We see wars intensifying around the world, violence and injustice costing innocent lives in our communities. We hear stories of children being abused, people being trafficked, corruption in governments, dishonest people getting richer… and so much more and we wonder, “God, do you see what is happening?” To some God may seem distant or silent. (Show Slide 2) Is it wrong to question God? After all it’s a deeply human experience that we all go through at some point in our lives.

Many godly people in the Bible expressed doubts about their abilities and asked a lot of “why” questions directed at God. Having doubts and worries are not the same as questioning God’s character. At issue is not whether we should question God, but in what manner and the reasons behind our questioning. Is it to draw closer to him or is it to complain? The Psalms record many questions toward God found in chapters 10, 44, 74, 77. God welcomes our questions although He does not always answer our questions the way we want or expect. He welcomes any sincere question from an earnest heart. When we question God, our attitude should reflect a humble spirit. Sincere and honest questions are rooted in a desire for understanding rather than bitterness or rebellion. In Psalm 10, we see David’s heart concerning the oppressed and we also see his genuine honesty as he questions and prays for God to intervene. (Show Slide 3).

Like David, have you ever experienced a time when it seemed like God was silent? He seemed distant? In that moment, how did you respond? All of us have been through our share of troubles and in those moments, we turn to God for answers and at times there is just silence, nothing happening! When tragedy strikes, it seems that God is far away. We may never get the answers we are looking for but we can rest assured that God is fully aware of what is going on in this universe.

In this psalm, David is not doubting or questioning God's existence, His goodness, faithfulness or truthfulness. He is wrestling with God's apparent silence and inactivity. He sees an issue, he sees how the wicked are flourishing at the expense of the poor. This psalm teaches us that faith is not pretending that everything is okay. Faith is bringing our deepest and most honest questions to God and trusting Him even when we don't understand His timing and what He is doing.

According to The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, psalms 9 & 10 were originally joined as found in certain Hebrew manuscripts, the Septuagint—which was the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible of the O.T (LXX), the Vulgate and in another Latin version by Jerome. Whereas psalm 9 focuses on the nation of Israel and it’s a praise/thanksgiving song, Psalm 10 is a very personal, it’s a song of lament (WBC p. 499) Psalm 10 allows us to ask and wrestle with sincere questions, like David did. There are a few things we see in this psalm. Notice how David begins with psalm. First, we see (Show Slide 4) 1. The cry for help (v. 1)

David begins the psalm by asking “why” questions. "Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"

The “why” questions by the psalmist describe a situation of frustration and forsakenness. David is frustrated that the wicked are prospering and they are oppressing the poor. His questioning is meant to get the Lord to come to the rescue and help. Here in this text, David is struggling to understand God's timing as it relates to the judgment of the wicked. David shows his own impatience and despair as he wrestles with this idea. We see this same attitude in our world today, where the wicked prosper and they are not held unto account. We see growing corruption in practically every area, politics, finance, sports, entertainment and even in religion. David’s plea to God was for Him to help, to act quickly and put an end to this wickedness. He wanted the wicked to reap what they had sawn, in a timely fashion. It’s natural and human to feel that way!

It’s ok to ask difficult questions especially when we are struggling to understand God’s plans. We don’t have to pretend like everything is okay and our God welcomes honest prayers that come from the heart. He wants to strengthen our faith in moments of doubts and fears. Think about Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Habakkuk, known as the “why prophet”. These men struggled just like David. No different for us today. In the most painful experience of his life, even Jesus cried from the cross questioning the Father’s presence: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Jesus in actually fulfills what is written by David in Psalm 22:1 a parallel between the writer’s suffering and his own).

God never rebukes sincere questions that come from faith. He wants us to turn to Him for help. Now, many of these individuals didn’t get the answers right away and regardless they chose to remain faithful to the LORD. We see the close personal relationship that David has with the LORD, that he can feel comfortable asking these difficult questions in his prayer. Questioning does not mean that we don’t have faith in God. Notice what David did. He turns to God and brings his questions to God instead of running away from Him in times of trouble. At times we think that mature Christians should never struggle or question God. When life is difficult and you are experiencing hurt, we need to take our questions and worries to God! He is the only one that can truly understand what we are going through. Something we can learn and apply to our own lives, like David, is to bring our doubts, fears, and pain to God instead of hiding them and trying to carry them on our own. God wants to help and lighten our burdens in times of difficulty. (Show Slide 5)

The second thing we notice is how David describes the wicked… 2. The characterization of the wicked (vv. 2-11)

What is the main problem of the wicked? It’s pride! Pride rules their hearts! Follow along as I read vv. 2-11. David describes them as: (Show Slide 6) In Psalm 14:1 we learn this about the wicked that they are foolish in their ways. “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” Pride is the very root of rebellion and disobedience. In these verses, David paints a clear picture of their thoughts (Show Slide 7—Read the list and switch on cue); their words (Show Slide 8—Read the list and switch on cue), their actions (Show Slide 9 on cue)

The Bible tells us that “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18). Pride always pulls a person away from God and it leads to destruction. The wicked in their greed pursue prosperity at the expense of the poor. They have no need for God, they trust in themselves and think they will enjoy a worry-free life. They don’t even believe that God sees them. This is one of Satan’s oldest lies. They believe that they will never be held accountable. They will never be judged. They think they are in control! They are untouchable and above the law! They are so wrong! Pride of the wicked pushes God out of the picture, and as believers we must be careful and guard our hearts so we don’t let it become our downfall. For many, history has shown time and again, that pride comes before a fall. Foolish thinking is destructive! Wicked people are morally corrupted and they normalize sin in every area by living in rebellion without accountability. This was Israel’s way of life during the time of David. Later on, prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Jeremiah reminded them of their sinful lifestyle and their need for repentance. It’s is obvious today that this way of thinking and lifestyle has not changed much. There are many who have not given much thought to God. God is not mocked or fooled by their thinking or actions! HE SEES everything!

It’s important to note that God’s justice always arrives at the right time. Their false sense of security and lack of accountability will lead to their destruction at the end. The wicked people of Israel had turned their back on God. They had replaced God’s moral laws with falsehood and as a result there was much suffering. When society removes God from the picture, do you know who suffers the most? (Show Slide 10) Notice who David lists: (Read the list). When people exploit the week, they rebel against God himself. Someone said “evil grows where there is no accountability.” God cares and loves these groups of people. God is the defender of the vulnerable. The last thing we see in this psalm… (Show Slide 11)

3. The confidence of faith in the LORD (vv. 12-18)

Read with me verses 12-18 as we see a shift in David’s attitude. From being concerned, frustrated and even questioning God now he relies on the Lord. After focusing so much on the character of the wicked, (information that God already knows by the way) now He turns to believing and trusting in God. His perspective changes as He is confident in his faith. Prayer is not informing God of what one person is doing, is aligning oneself to the will of God. In verse 12, he says “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand.” David knows that God sees all, He sees every injustice, every tear, every act of oppression. He is the defender of the helpless. David asks God to break the power of evil, to break the hand that is oppressing the least in society. Verse 14 is this shift in this psalm. But "You do see trouble and grief." This word implies and reassures David that God does see all things! Nothing escapes God's attention. The wicked say God doesn't see… David says, "Yes, He does." Perhaps someone listening today feels invisible. No one understand your hurts, painful wounds, burdens, sufferings you have gone or going through. Psalm 10 reminds us God Sees! God Knows! God Cares for You today and every day! Our God is El Roi, the “God of Seeing” or the “God who sees that we learn in Genesis 16:13. This name was profound because it was mentioned by an outsider, a servant, Hagar, when the angel of the Lord (Jesus) came to her rescue in a time of distress as she was on the run and traveling in the wilderness. God is all-seeing and He is very much aware of the oppressing of the poor and the actions of the wicked. Notice what the LORD does in Psalm 14:2-3 “The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” The wicked person thinks that God doesn’t see one’s sinful deeds. That person is fooling oneself!

God will hold them to account one day! Instead of giving in to despair, pray with confidence that God sees and acts upon the affairs of the world, though it may see as if He is absent! Don’t believe the lie but be confident and trust in the LORD! He does see and He will put an end to the wicked and evildoers. On day, they will no longer oppress the helpless! The author of Hebrews writes: “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13)….Imagine all the 8.3 billion people in our world today. God sees every one of them 24/7! Can you fathom that?

Like David, we must put our hope in the Lord. David ends the psalm with hope and confidence. His faith in the Lord does not waver as he concludes the psalm by proclaiming His Kingship and eternal authority and sovereignty: "The LORD is king forever." (v.16) In verses 16-18 he says (Read out the verses). (Show Slide 12 and 13 as I read)

Truths About the LORD: God hears ! God Strengthens! God brings Justice!

As King who reigns forever—His rule and authority never end. Nations and people will come and go but at the end He will remain!

He hears the humble and the cries of the oppressed. David says “You will incline your ear”, is this picture that God is intently listening to the cries of the righteous. Psalm 10:17 assures believers that the Lord hears, cherishes, and responds to the earnest longings of the humble.

He strengthens His people and gives courage to those who are weary.

God will bring perfect justice for the righteous and oppressed. As the saying goes “Justice delayed is not justice denied!” Don’t misunderstand God’s patience for His absence! His silence is never indifference! His timing is perfect, He remains faithful and His reign is eternal!

No matter how dark and difficult the world becomes, God’s kingdom will ultimately triumph and it will remain forever! He not only listens but actively strengthens the hearts of those who trust Him, leaning in to every plea. Living with this confidence of faith encourages us to approach God freely, remain humble, and rely on His promised courage for every challenge. It’s important that we focus on who God is and not merely on the difficult situation that we are in. We need to be careful not to allow pride to keep us away from Him. Evil may seem to win temporarily and the wicked getting richer and richer by the minute, but know that it will come to an end eventually. God sees everything and He will deal with every person according to their deeds. God defends the humble and the helpless though at times, they seem to be neglected by the world. David’s perspective changed from fear to faith because he remembers who God is!

God is KING forever and will bring perfect justice on day, once and for all! When God seems silent and injustice surrounds you, choose to trust His character. He sees, He hears, He cares, and in His perfect time, He will act—That is a Guarantee! Psalm 10 points us to Jesus. Jesus Himself experienced injustice. He was falsely accused, betrayed, mocked, rejected, beaten, crucified. For a moment, hope was shattered, doubts lingered, evil appeared to win. But through the resurrection, God proved: evil does not have the last word; death does not have the last word… why? Because Jesus as the righteous King, He has the final say!

One day Christ will return to judge evil completely and establish perfect justice. Even when we cannot trace God's hand, we can trust His heart, His unchanging character. Our hope rests not in the changing circumstances of the world, but in the unchanging character of our King. Remember who sits on the throne for eternity! This passage leaves us with assurance: the God who hears, sees, and reigns is the same God who invites us to trust Him until His perfect justice is fully revealed. Will you put your faith and trust in Him today?

Let’s pray: "Heavenly Father, thank You that You are never absent, even when You seem silent. Thank You that You see every injustice, hear every cry, and care for every one of Your children. When we are tempted to believe You are distant, remind us that You are always near. Strengthen those who are hurting, comfort those who are oppressed, and give us courage to stand for what is right. Help us not to become discouraged when evil appears to prosper, but to trust Your perfect timing and Your righteous judgment. Make us people who reflect Your compassion by caring for the vulnerable and speaking up for those who have no voice. Help us to live with confidence that You reign forever. Strengthen our faith through the hope we have in Jesus Christ and help us to fix our eyes on our righteous, risen King, who will one day make all things new. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen."

Benediction (Show Slide 14)

Sermon Study Resources and References:

Sailhamer, H. John. NIV Compact Bible Commentary: Psalm 10

Halley’s Bible Handbook. New Revised Edition: The Psalms

Life Application Study Bible: Psalm 10

Liberty Bible Commentary: Psalm 10

Walvoord, F. John and Zuck B. Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Old Testament: Psalm 10

Pfeiffer, F. Charles. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Psalm 10

https://www.gotquestions.org/why-have-you-forsaken-me.html online article

https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/job online article

https://www.gotquestions.org/the-God-who-sees.html online article

https://www.gotquestions.org/question-God.html