Read:        "The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
                  A stronghold in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9:9)

                  “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?
                   Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1)

Examine:
Psalms 9 and 10 are examples of Hebrew “acrostic” poetry, meaning that each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. They were likely composed by David as one complete psalm and should be read together, as Psalm 10 seems to be the completion of Psalm 9. David starts by praising God and observing God’s presence in his life. He readily acknowledges the ways he sees God at work and observes how God is a refuge for the person who is struggling in life. The poem ends with observations of those who are wicked and a call for God’s judgment upon them. Then in Psalm 10, David begins with a verse that appears to question why God seems to hide Himself in time of struggle. But as we read the rest of the psalm, we come away with the truth that it is we who have forgotten God, and a reminder that God indeed hears those who seek after Him.

Apply:
I have heard many times about people who believe in God, but do not think God listens to their prayers or cares about them. The fact is that it is we who have withdrawn from God in good times. Somehow we then question why God seems to have abandoned us, especially when we are suffering. We stand far from God, first by our unbelief, and then even as believers, by our actions. Then we complain that God is far from us. We deserve to be judged! In my own life, there have been times when I have felt separated from God, but always by me. Fortunately, by my faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, I am forgiven! When we draw near to God, he is always there!

Prayer:
Father, I know you are God and that you are worthy of my very best. You deserve all that I have to be directed to you and for you. Yet often times I live as though other things are more important than you, and I let them crowd you out. I confess that I am the one who has pulled away from you. Father, help me to always sense your presence, for you are always there. Enable me to place you at the front of my mind in everything that I do, not at the back where I let the pressures of the world crowd you out. You deserve more than to be given my leftovers. Lord, help me to live in the knowledge of your truth and to build my relationship with you. For you always hear me, even if I do not hear you. In Jesus name. Amen.