Psalm 10

Frustrated with the Lord

Psalms 10

Introduction:

We are all frustrated from time to time with other people.

Illustration:

A small storeowner was being pressured to sell his store to the owners of a large department store who had bought every building on the block, except his. Frustrated by the man’s refusal to sell, they eventually opened their huge store on either side of the small one, with a big banner running from one side to the other, proclaiming in huge letters "GRAND OPENING."

Feeling equally frustrated, the small storeowner did finally outsmart the large department store. Below the grand opening sign, across the front of his small store, the man put up a small banner over his door: "MAIN ENTRANCE."

Illustration:

Here are some sure ways to frustrate other people:

1. Whenever you are in public, practice making fax and modem noises.
2. Whenever you go through a drive-through at a fast food place, make sure you emphasize that your order is “to go.”
3. While you are driving, keep your car windshield wipers running in all weather conditions to "keep them tuned up."
4. Repeat the following conversation a dozen times: "Do you hear that?” "What?" "Never mind, it’s gone now."
5. Finish all your sentences with the words, "in accordance with prophesy."
6. When you go to an opera, sing along.
7. Ask your coworkers mysterious questions and then scribble their answers in a notebook. Mutter something about psychological profiles.

We can certainly laugh at some of those things, but how many of us have been frustrated with God?  If we are honest most have from time to time

David is frustrated with the Lord when he writes Psalm 10

Think of all the “Why?” questions we have/could ask.

Today we want to see

1.      The Problem as David sees it

2.      The Plea of David

3.      The Providence of God

I.                   The Problem as David sees it

Notice the problem in David’s questions and other statements:

Ø      Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?

Ø      Why do You hide in times of trouble?

Ø      The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor

Ø      For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire

Ø      He blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD

Ø      The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.

Ø      His ways are always prospering

Ø      As for all his enemies, he sneers at them

Ø      His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

Ø      In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.

Ø      He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.

Ø      He has said in his heart, “God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.”

1.      Sometimes God seems to ignore wickedness

            What examples can we think of today?

            That was part of our recent study in Habakkuk

2.      Sometimes God seems to allow their arrogance to go unchecked

They feel they can take advantage of others with no ill

I don’t know about you but one thing that really grates me is the attitude of someone who is doing wrong, knows they are doing wrong, and continues to do it because it appears that they are getting away with it.

Note their attitude toward God in this passage:

One pastor put it this way:

And what is their thought of God?
It is absolute contempt.
They ignore the possibility of God and His judgment.
They literally snort at their foes in disdain.
They strut about, proud that no one can or will stop them.
Their speech is nasty and deceitful.
They will take down those they oppose with no regard to any ethical standard, except their own.
They will lie to get ahead at the expense of others.
They are Satan’s lackeys.
Their wickedness is boundless.
Their conscience is seared.

3.      Sometimes God allows their self centered behavior to go unchecked

V. 8 He lurks in the dark to murder his victims

V. 8 He watches for someone to take advantage of

V. 9 He waits like a lion to pounce on the poor

                  He lays out a trap of deceit

II.                 The Plea of David’s Heart and Voice vv. 12-15

1.      “Lord, do something!” v. 12

It is here that David’s faith begins to break through

It seems at this point that one of two things can happen

         *We turn thing over to the Lord and trust Him

         *We become discouraged and walk away from the Lord

2.  “I do not understand the wicked person’s way of thinking.” V. 13

They really seem to believe that God will not hold them accountable

Overall the Church today seems to struggle with this concept

            Could it be because there is no accountability in our culture?

            Often threats of justice are not carried out

3.  Confidence in the Lord’s timing and judgment

You have seen, Lord

The helpless commits to You and You will help him!

David has come back to the confidence of God’s timing and judgment

This often involves great humility and patience. 

4.  His desire is that wickedness be dealt with severely v. 15

III.              The Providence of God vv. 16-18

1.      God reigns regardless of what man does v. 16

Think of all of the wicked nations and kings that thought they reigned, God brought them down.  Babylon is one that comes to mind.

2.      God hears our cries and gives us His encouragement

3.      God will make things right v. 18

Jesus in the NT, “They have their reward.”

The religious leaders thought they had it all