Why?

Why, O Lord, do you stand afar off? 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?...

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek Him;

all his thoughts are, "There is no God."..

The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.

  He says in his heart, "God has forgotten;

He has hidden His face; He will never see it."...

But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,

that you may take it into your hands;

to you the helpless commits himself; 

you have been the helper of the fatherless.

  Psalm 10:1,4,10-11,14

You may notice in the Psalms that the psalmist goes from confident expectation of God's nearness to questioning wonder about His distance.  In this Psalm he begins with a question, one that we ask many times:  "Why?"

Why do the enemies of God live licentiously, whether they be the filthy rich who blaspheme the name of God , hoarding their assets or spending frivolously on extravagant toys; or the elite group of intellectuals who deem belief in a Divine Creator beneath them?  And what of those who try to expunge even the memory of those who call themselves by the name of Christ?  Oh, yes, this is not an uncommon thing in our modern world.  If you are not familiar with the organization, Voice of the Martyrs, go to http://www.persecution.com/  and receive a free newsletter that will keep you informed about the persecution of Christians throughout the world.  It is not a fun read, but it will help you to know how to pray for those who are standing strong for the cause of Christ in a hostile world.

If we look at injustice and think with the enemies of God that perhaps God really doesn't exist, or that He has forgotten the plight of the helpless, we are falling into their trap.  God does hear; He has not forgotten, and He will deal with them in His time.

Many times I have read the testimonies of those who are being persecuted for bearing the name of Christ, and their testimony is, "I count it a privilege to suffer for the sake of my Lord Jesus Christ."  Our American freedom mentality has caused us to fear persecution and to consider its evils rather than to rejoice in suffering.  God does hear the cries of those who are being abused and will avenge the enemies of the cross and of his own.

Serving the God who hears,

Gloria