Thursday, January 29th | Daily Devotion
- Jan 29
- 4 min read
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’ His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. -Psalm 10:1-5
TRANSCRIPTION:
Good morning, grace and peace, I'm Dr. Powell. And this is our weekly devotional oh for the month of January where we've been uh dealing with the wonderful book of Psalms, Psalms and the Key of Life, every weekday morning. Now, I can't believe it is the Thursday and we only have, oh man, another weekday in this month, which means that uh our time here like this, and this intimate space will be coming to a close.
However, I pray that you've been paying close attention to how we are dissecting the word of God and how we are breaking into it as it relates to the devotional, the push forward, and area and space for you and your family to be connected in devotion on a daily basis.
So. on this wonderful Thursday, I wanted to take a look at the 10th division of Psalm. The 10th division of Psalm, as is our custom, I will read a little bit and then after I read a little bit, it's my prayer that you will read it in its entirety to God our greater context.
“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance, the wicked hotly pursue the poor. Let them be caught in the schemes that they've devised. For the wicked boast of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face, the wicked does not seek him. All his thoughts are, is there is no God. His ways prospered all times. Your judgments are on high out of his sight. As for all his foes, he puffs at them." And it goes on.
What this Psalm does for me, and stop me if I'm wrong, and maybe this is for somebody else, but I think there's at least somebody who could identify with David's complete honesty and prayer. I think sometimes our prayers are so flowery and so, you know, filled with all the right things to say, but don't really tap at the nerve and nature of authenticity that David really expresses here.
Can I tell you something? We were always taught, don't question God. No, that's not true. God can handle your questions. It's about you waiting around to allow yourself to receive the answer is another thing. Most of us would rather just push it to this place of prayer being that routine thing that we do, but not something that comes from the soul.
Essence of having an honest relationship with the father and that's what David's doing. He says, look, look, look, look. He said, I know that I'm not the person that is off putting, but why do you stand so far away, Lord? This is an honest moment. He says, listen, I feel like you not watching the same news I'm watching, God.
Just in case, you unpa- Can I recap what I've been looking at? As it plays over and over and over again from different angles, from different understandings. Are you seeing this? And are you seeing the response of those that call you in their name? God, I got questions. Cause I know your character and I'm asking-at what point do you intercede?
David is so honest about the reality of the circumstances that are going around, which is why I want you to read this Psalm in its entirety. Because after David gets through lamenting, after David gets through telling and expressing and wearing his feelings on the front portion of his collar, it takes the time to allow God to answer and he ends it with praise.
So here's my takeaway. Listen, no one's asking you to understand everything that's going on. What we are asking, I think what God demands of us is an honest relationship that can be real enough to even express the areas that we're uncomfortable and the areas that we don't understand without being disrespectful. And that's what David says, hey, listen, you can lament to the Lord, but I have enough respect that the way that I end my lament is with praise.
Don't ever get casual Calvary. Remember that even in the midst of what you don't understand and what you don't get, God's sovereign authority allows you for an opportunity to always give him praise.
So on this Thursday, I want to point out everything probably won't, I'ma predict, is not going to go the way that you wanted at every moment, but it doesn't mean that God is not omnisciently orchestrating those events to work in your favor. You just have to be real enough and authentic enough to be honest with your prayer. But no matter how honest you get, don't forget to give him the praise.
God bless you. Have an incredible Thursday. I'll see you on Friday. Bless you.