| Psalm 10:1 Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses[a] and renounces the Lord. (Vs 4-11, pull out your Bible and read them for yourself, see the actions and thoughts of the wicked.) 12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. 13 Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? 14 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. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none. 16 The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. 17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. David begins this psalm with the question many people are asking of God at this time, "Why?" Why do you allow evil to continue? Why do you allow this disease? Why do we have to stay in our homes? Why can't the world just return to normal? David goes on for 10 verses to talk about the arrogance, boasting, pride, and greed of the evil doers. They do not care about the people they trample in their wake. They even look for ways to take advantage of others. It seems that this could be the case in our own country, yet, the opposite seems to be happening. Despite the illness and restrictions placed upon so many people, as a whole we are rising above the situation and seeking ways to help one another. I went out to get some lunch yesterday. Not that I didn't have food at home, but I wanted to help where I could. The lady at the Eriks in Scotts Valley said they had reduced their hours and their business had been cut to one third of normal. She was thankful to have a job but she was just making it on her full pay. What is she going to do now? I know my 30% tip will not make up for her lost hours, but might brighten her day. David asks, actually might have pleaded with God, "Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted." That needs to be our cry as well. "LORD, step in and do what you do well. Relieve the suffering of this world in a way that others will know of your love and care." You and I are firm in our belief that God does care for the world even in a situation like what we are facing, but many can only look at the hard times happening around the world and ask, like David, "Where is God in all of this? Wouldn't a loving God keep this from happening?" I firmly believe that God is at work in ways we cannot see clearly. I believe He is drawing people to faith and trust in Him and that their lives will be better in the future because of that. I believe God is in control of the global circumstances and will halt the spread of this rampage when the time is right. Why is the right time not now, i.e. when I want it to be? Because, I believe God knows far better than I do about when that time should be and what time will bring about the most good throughout the world. I stand with David as he says, "The Lord is king forever and ever." I believe He hears the, "the desire of the afflicted;" and "will strengthen their heart;" and "will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more." Do not loose hope. Do not look so much at the storm around you but fix your eyes on Jesus the Protector and Guardian of our souls. Rest in His arms and enjoy His presence.
- Pastor Edd | 
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