I had a dream the other night. I do not remember the dream at all; however, when I woke up, I remember thinking “Where are you God?”. Have you ever wondered that? What was it that made you ask that question? Was it your circumstances or the world’s?
David wondered that. He was bold enough to write about it. Psalm 10 opens with two questions. “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1) What was it that made him question where God was? His questioning gives me encouragement. A man after God’s heart is asking the same question as I do. There is hope.
It isn’t about doubting in God. It is about not being able to see God working through whatever makes you ask that question. Let’s take 9/11 for a moment. All we could see was the horror unfolding on the TV screen. I remember wondering if God was as horrified as we were. Then the stories of survivors started coming out. I heard the executive chef of the Windows on the World say he would have been with his crew had he not had to go to get his glasses. Another man would have been in there, but his child made him late, he was on the bridge watching it unfold. There were countless stories like this. So, God was working overtime to prevent more losses.
Psalm 10 asks God to “Arise”. It is a call to action. “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.” (Psalm 10:12) “Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer…” (verse15). David is definitely my kind of guy. Asking God to not forget the afflicted and then asking him to break the arm of the wicked. Think about it…God whispers a word and the arm breaks! How many times have you wanted to utter these words?
But it isn’t about God punishing the wicked. It is about Verses 17 & 18, “O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is on=f the earth may strike terror no more.” It is about us being given God’s strength for our faith because we know He hears our hearts.
Where is God? Right where He needs to be. If He is in your heart and you engage Him daily, then understand that He is working in all circumstances to bring a resolution that will give Him glory. (referencing Romans 8:28).
So next time you are wondering where God is, take a moment to thank Him for His presence and working behind the scenes.