Devotional Portion: Psalms 10: 8-11
He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; He lies in wait to catch the poor; He catches the poor when he draws him into his net. So he crouches, he lies low, That the helpless may fall by his strength. He has said in his heart, “God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.”
He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
The Psalmist is keenly observing the wicked man. In addition to their bragging, they do things secretly too (lurking places, in secret places he murders, eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless, lies in wait secretly, he lies low). This shows how cunning they are in devouring the needy and the helpless. As he submits his concerns to God, the psalmist have a prayer in his heart for them too.
When Paul writes his letter to Ephesians, he describes about walking in the light. Once we were in the darkness too- who lived in wicked ways to satisfy our carnal desires. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” Ephesians 5:11-13.
As a Christian, we must commit to pray for the ones who walk in darkness. We should sympathize as the wicked have closed their heart to the truth.
As we reach verse 11, the psalmist again quotes the reason why the wicked act so. In their heart, they say, “God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.”God has forgotten is seen twice in this Psalm. Verse 1 and 11. But, they have differences too. One is prayed by a believer, and the other is said by the wicked. The prayer of the believer has pain in it, whereas the sinner takes a false hope of assurance in his pride. The wicked build castle of false assurance whereas the believer submits his concern in God’s presence.
Reflection: Our concern must be shared in His presence. Remember your past and pray for those who live in wickedness and the false hope of assurance.
