When we become perplexed and confused, it is usually because we have fallen for the sly and hurtful words of those not satisfied with themselves and their circumstances. People of discontent can be harsh as they criticize and judge—especially when seek what God says is good for us and will declare the glory of God!  Naysayers are hard to relate to because they refuse to hear our hearts as they seek to avoid the truth of the matter.  Our hearts break when we see this particular behavior become a habit in our loved ones who live miserable lives as they seek self first rather than God whose thoughts will always be higher and greater. 

God who created all, knows all, and is in all.  God knows our hearts, our names, and our stories. He knows exactly what we need when we need it most and supplies our every need.  God is wise and faithful to provide exactly what we need; not what we want. God’s gifts are varied according to our real need.  God gifts are given to those who are selfless servants who seek Him first before doing anything of significance in His Kingdom work.  His love flows through those who listen, see, and hear others in need with a desire to be of help.

As believers, God’s greatest gift is His Presence with us always. When God draws near to us as we draw near to Him, we find peace, joy, and encouragement.  More encouraging words of affirmation and less criticism begin to form as we draw close to others who need, telling them what we have found in God!  When we seek to be filled with His love; His love grows and freely flows through us to others!

God’s Holy Spirit living in us produces the courage trust and obey God in all the details of our lives. He refreshes us as we refresh and encourage others with His words coming from our mouths becoming a never-ending circle of building each other up as Paul writes to the church, the Body of Christ! 

“God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, MSG

God is with us, His Holy Spirit living within us, all because of Jesus’ work on the cross to remove our sins so that we may be reconciled in our relationship with God.  Others who believe, see Jesus reflected from us as God works in us to bear the fruits of His Spirit—the traits of His character.  (Galatians 5:22-23)  So, when someone says, “I see Jesus in you”; know these words as the greatest gift of affirmation to give and to receive, sincerely, without seeking to get something in return. When we see Jesus in others; tell them! Every one could use a Word of affirmation—the greatest way to show the love of God!

“Love each other as I have loved you”—Jesus new commandment was given to His disciples before laying down his life to pay for the sins of the world whom God loves.  It is the grace of God, prompted by His relentless love, coupled with Jesus’ willing obedience that held Him on the cross to finish the work of salvation for all who believe.  God’s grace wins over evil every time.  Trust God, He knows what He is doing!

David is crying out to God about those who do not affirm but blow out the hot air of wicked words from their beings who do not know God.  He wrestles with the age-old problem, “Why doesn’t God do something about the prosperity of the blowhards who cause misery to others while ignoring the needs of the poor and afflicted?” 

Psalm 10

^1-2 God, are you avoiding me?
    Where are you when I need you?
Full of hot air, the wicked
    are hot on the trail of the poor.
Trip them up, tangle them up
    in their fine-tuned plots.

^3-4 The wicked are windbags,
    the swindlers have foul breath.
The wicked snub God,
    their noses stuck high in the air.
Their graffiti are scrawled on the walls:
    “Catch us if you can!” “God is dead.”

^5-6 They care nothing for what you think;
    if you get in their way, they blow you off.
They live (they think) a charmed life:
    “We can’t go wrong. This is our lucky year!”

^7-8 They carry a mouthful of spells,
    their tongues spit venom like adders.
They hide behind ordinary people,
    then pounce on their victims.

⁹ They mark the luckless,
    then wait like a hunter in a blind;
When the poor wretch wanders too close,
    they stab him in the back.

^10-11 The hapless fool is kicked to the ground,
    the unlucky victim is brutally axed.
He thinks God has dumped him,
    he’s sure that God is indifferent to his plight.

^12-13 Time to get up, God—get moving.
    The luckless think they’re Godforsaken.
They wonder why the wicked scorn God
    and get away with it,
Why the wicked are so cocksure
    they’ll never come up for audit.

¹⁴ But you know all about it—
    the contempt, the abuse.
I dare to believe that the luckless
    will get lucky someday in you.
You won’t let them down:
    orphans won’t be orphans forever.

^15-16 Break the wicked right arms,
    break all the evil left arms.
Search and destroy
    every sign of crime.
God’s grace and order wins;
    godlessness loses.

^17-18 The victim’s faint pulse picks up;
    the hearts of the hopeless pump red blood
    as you put your ear to their lips.
Orphans get parents,
    the homeless get homes.
The reign of terror is over,
    the rule of the gang lords is ended.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God’s grace wins!  As the psalm draws to a close, David expresses his full confidence that God is on His throne and has everything under His control. The Lord may not explain to us why some people seem to get away with their evil deeds, but He does assure us that He will judge sinners and ultimately defend His own people. God answers all David’s concerns as He prays and sings to God.  Isn’t that just like God?  As we pray; He answers with wisdom.

God sees the trouble (outward circumstances) and grief (inward feelings) caused by the wicked as they harass the helpless, and He will take the matter in hand. God has the final say.  Believers in Jesus can depend on the God of heaven, but the self-confident and arrogant in our world have no future with the Lord. Life without the Lord is empty and vain and leads only to death.

I choose Life, how about you?

Trust God, He knows what He’s doing!

Lord,

Thank you for the honestly of David’s concerns for they are ours at times, too. Thank you for allowing us to walk boldly to your throne for help, wisdom, and encouragement to live for you among the wicked who do not.  Help us to help each other by your Spirit living in us.  Help us to do what you require of us daily; seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you by your power enabling to be and do what you say.

In Jesus Name, Amen