July 31, 2025 • 11 mins
Title: God Sees You: Hope for the Forgotten and Afflicted (Psalm 10)
Short Description
What do you do when evil seems to thrive and God feels far away? Psalm 10 gives language to our pain and teaches us how to pray through injustice, hold on to God’s justice, and find hope when life feels unfair and overwhelming.
Episode Highlights
- Psalm 10 begins with an honest question: “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?”
- The psalmist names the pain of injustice and the silence of God without offering simplistic answers.
- We are reminded that God is not blind to evil or deaf to the cries of the afflicted.
- Lament is a gift that gives us space to wrestle with pain and still cling to God’s character.
- The psalm shifts from grief to intercession—moving from confusion to confidence in God’s justice.
- God's throne is secure, His justice will prevail, and He draws near to the brokenhearted.
- This Psalm teaches us how to wait well, trust deeply, and pray boldly even when justice is delayed.
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ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James
Long Jr, a special series fromLessons for Life.
I'm James, and in each episodewe will journey into the rich,
honest and healing language ofthe Psalms to find hope, clarity
and comfort for life's deepeststruggles.
Whether you're wrestling withanxiety, grief, anger or
(00:21):
spiritual dryness, the Psalmsoffer us a path towards
restoration and peace throughGod's Word.
So, wherever you are right now,take a deep breath and let's
enter into the heart ofScripture together.
Hey, welcome back.
It's James Long and we are inour Counseling Through the
Psalms.
Grab your Bible from me and ajournal, and I look forward to
(00:42):
working through this psalm withyou.
We are at day 10, psalm 10 inour series.
Psalm 10 gives voice to theanguish of those who feel
abandoned in the face ofinjustice.
It offers hope to those who arewounded and assurance that God
is not blind to evil nor deaf tothe cries of the oppressed.
Okay, so grab your Bible andlet's look through Psalm 10.
(01:06):
First we're going to see whenGod feels far away in the face
of evil.
Watch what it says here inverse 1.
Why, o Lord, do you stand faraway?
Why do you hide yourself in thetimes of trouble.
The opening words here arepainfully familiar to anyone who
has watched wickedness flourishwhile God seems silent.
Psalm 10 is a heartfelt cry ofsomeone who is not naive about
(01:31):
evil nor afraid to bring hisconfusions to God.
The psalm refuses to offersimplistic answers.
Instead, it dignifies the rawemotions of the faithful who
wrestle with divine silence,giving us words to pray when our
pain outpaces our understanding.
In our modern world, injusticeoften wears a polished face
(01:52):
powerful people silencing theweak, systems that perpetuate
harm, or individuals who exploitwithout consequences.
The psalmist saw it delays Forthose silently suffering.
(02:27):
Psalm 10 is not just an ancientpoetry.
It is a map for the soul, a wayto keep walking in faith
through the valleys of fear andinjustice.
The boastful rise while thebroken cry.
Now one of the hardest tensionsin life is watching the wicked
thrive while the righteousstruggle.
Psalm 10 pulls no punches indescribing the arrogant.
(02:49):
It says this in verse 4, in thepride of his face, the wicked
does not seek him.
All his thoughts are there isno God.
These are not neutral doubters,but they are calculated
oppressors.
They prey on the vulnerablewith impunity and blaspheme
without fear.
They dismiss divineaccountability.
(03:10):
Verse 11 says he says in hisheart.
God has forgotten.
He has hidden his face.
He will never see it Now.
What makes this even morepainful is that their words echo
the fears of the oppressed.
When evil seems to go unchecked, the soul wonders if God is
truly turned away.
Doubt festers.
(03:30):
Victims feel abandoned, and notjust by people but by God.
The psalm does not rebuke thisdoubt.
Instead, it gives it voice andbrings it before God.
Here's the crucial lesson Godinvites our honest questions.
He is not threatened by ourpain-fueled prayers.
To those feeling crushedbeneath the weight of another's
pride or deception, our groansmatter.
(03:52):
The God of Scripture does notignore the exploited.
He draws near to those who cryout in truth, even when their
faith feels worn very thin.
When the cry becomes a prayer,the pivot in Psalm 10 comes not
with the change of circumstances, but with a shift in
perspective.
Arise, o Lord, o God, lift upyour hand.
(04:15):
Forget not the afflicted, verse12.
This is the turning point of thebiblical lament, when the agony
of the unanswered injusticebecomes the fuel for
intercession.
The psalmist moves fromanalysis to appeal.
He does not pretend that evilhas disappeared, but he
remembers something crucialYahweh is not indifferent.
(04:36):
The wicked may believe that Godhas hidden his face.
But the faithful, remember thatyou do see, for you note
mischief and vexation, that youmay take it into your hands
Verse 14.
The shift is not in God but inthe sufferer.
The one who felt forgotten nowclings to the truth that God is
both just and near.
(04:58):
The prayer is not passive, it'sbold.
It pleads for God to break thearms of the wicked evildoers
Verse 15.
A metaphorical cry for divineintervention to dismantle evil
systems and individual harm.
True faith does not whitewashinjustice.
It groans for God to actagainst it.
If you feel powerless or unsurehow to pray amid injustice,
(05:23):
follow the flow of this psalmStart with your pain, move
towards petition and rememberthe God who sees, hears and will
act.
The Lord reigns the comfort ofthe coming reckoning.
The psalm ends not withvengeance but with confidence.
The Lord is king.
Forever and ever.
(05:44):
The nations perish from hishands.
Forever and ever the nationsperish from his hands Verse 16.
This closing doxology anchorsus in God's reign, a reality
often hidden but never absentwhen the foundations of morality
or society seem to erode.
Psalm 10 reminds us that God'sthrone is not threatened.
His justice may not operate onour timetable, but it is sure.
(06:07):
The psalm closes with a tenderassurance oh Lord, you hear the
desires of the afflicted.
You will strengthen theirhearts.
You will incline your ear,verse 17.
What hope that is for thebroken.
God does not just crush thewicked.
He comforts the wounded.
He listens, he strengthens, heanswers.
(06:28):
In our lives this means thatwe're never truly helpless.
Even when institutions fail orfriends disappear, god is both a
righteous judge and a tenderfather.
He will defend the fatherless,uphold the wronged and
ultimately bring every deed intojudgment.
Now let's look at the doctrinalinsights here in Psalm 10.
(06:50):
First, we see God's sovereignty.
Even when he feels absent, godremains enthroned and active
verse 16.
Second, we see divine justice.
God sees injustice and will actwith perfect judgment verses 14
and 15.
Third, we see human depravityLeft unchecked sin leads to
(07:12):
arrogant denial of God andexploitation of others verses 2
through 11.
Four, we see the gift of lament.
Biblical faith includes spacefor honest lament, not just
triumphant praise.
And number five, we see God'snearness to the afflicted.
He hears, strengthens anddelivers those who cry out to
(07:34):
him verses 17-18.
Now let's put all of thatdoctrine into practice practical
theology.
If you feel abandoned by God,know that Psalm 10 was written
with you in mind.
It gives you language to grieveand guidance to endure.
If injustice has left youfeeling angry or numb, take
comfort in knowing that God seesand will respond in
(07:58):
righteousness.
He is not blind to your pain.
If you are weary from longbattles legal, relational or
emotional remember that Godstrengthens the hearts of those
who seek him.
If your prayer feels weak orunheard, be encouraged.
God hears even your sighs andwill act on your behalf.
(08:19):
If you've been harmed by peoplein power or systems that are
broken, god is not like them.
He defends the fatherless andthe afflicted.
If you are tempted to takevengeance into your own hands,
entrust justice to the Lord, whojudges with truth and mercy.
If you struggle with fear aboutthe future, anchor your heart
(08:42):
in this truth that the Lord isking forever and ever.
Well, let's reflect and respond.
1.
When have you felt like God wasfar away in the face of
injustice and suffering?
2.
What kind of evil in the worldwill tempt you to question God's
(09:02):
nearness or justice?
3.
How does Psalm 10 give youpermission to pray honestly,
even with doubt and frustration?
Number four are there people inyour life or community who need
you to be a voice for justice?
Number five what would it looklike to trust God's justice
(09:25):
instead of trying to control theoutcome?
Number six how can you rest inthe promise that God hears,
strengthens and acts for theafflicted?
Number seven what does thispsalm teach you about waiting
well in seasons of unansweredprayer?
Well, let's pray, father.
(09:46):
Thank you for revealing yourselfthrough the power of your word.
Lord Jesus, thank you for beingthe fulfillment of every
promise and the anchor for everystorm.
Holy Spirit, guide us intodeeper truth, lasting peace and
transforming hope.
Teach us to walk in the truthof this psalm today.
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.
(10:06):
Well, if you're looking formore support, we would encourage
you to join our free navigatorslevel of Lessons for Life
community at jameslongjrorgslash community.
Jameslongjrorg slash communityfor devotionals, meetups and
(10:28):
training to help you walk byfaith meetups and training to
help you walk by faith.
Or you can explore one of ourfull memberships at jameslongorg
slash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow emotionally,relationally and spiritually.
Well, thank you so much forbeing with us.
Hope you're with us next time.
(10:48):
Be blessed, take care.
Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James
Long Jr, a special series fromLessons for Life.
I'm James, and in each episodewe will journey into the rich,
honest and healing language ofthe Psalms to find hope, clarity
and comfort for life's deepeststruggles.
Whether you're wrestling withanxiety, grief, anger or
(00:21):
spiritual dryness, the Psalmsoffer us a path towards
restoration and peace throughGod's Word.
So, wherever you are right now,take a deep breath and let's
enter into the heart ofScripture together.
Hey, welcome back.
It's James Long and we are inour Counseling Through the
Psalms.
Grab your Bible from me and ajournal, and I look forward to
(00:42):
working through this psalm withyou.
We are at day 10, psalm 10 inour series.
Psalm 10 gives voice to theanguish of those who feel
abandoned in the face ofinjustice.
It offers hope to those who arewounded and assurance that God
is not blind to evil nor deaf tothe cries of the oppressed.
Okay, so grab your Bible andlet's look through Psalm 10.
(01:06):
First we're going to see whenGod feels far away in the face
of evil.
Watch what it says here inverse 1.
Why, o Lord, do you stand faraway?
Why do you hide yourself in thetimes of trouble.
The opening words here arepainfully familiar to anyone who
has watched wickedness flourishwhile God seems silent.
Psalm 10 is a heartfelt cry ofsomeone who is not naive about
(01:31):
evil nor afraid to bring hisconfusions to God.
The psalm refuses to offersimplistic answers.
Instead, it dignifies the rawemotions of the faithful who
wrestle with divine silence,giving us words to pray when our
pain outpaces our understanding.
In our modern world, injusticeoften wears a polished face
(01:52):
powerful people silencing theweak, systems that perpetuate
harm, or individuals who exploitwithout consequences.
The psalmist saw it delays Forthose silently suffering.
(02:27):
Psalm 10 is not just an ancientpoetry.
It is a map for the soul, a wayto keep walking in faith
through the valleys of fear andinjustice.
The boastful rise while thebroken cry.
Now one of the hardest tensionsin life is watching the wicked
thrive while the righteousstruggle.
Psalm 10 pulls no punches indescribing the arrogant.
(02:49):
It says this in verse 4, in thepride of his face, the wicked
does not seek him.
All his thoughts are there isno God.
These are not neutral doubters,but they are calculated
oppressors.
They prey on the vulnerablewith impunity and blaspheme
without fear.
They dismiss divineaccountability.
(03:10):
Verse 11 says he says in hisheart.
God has forgotten.
He has hidden his face.
He will never see it Now.
What makes this even morepainful is that their words echo
the fears of the oppressed.
When evil seems to go unchecked, the soul wonders if God is
truly turned away.
Doubt festers.
(03:30):
Victims feel abandoned, and notjust by people but by God.
The psalm does not rebuke thisdoubt.
Instead, it gives it voice andbrings it before God.
Here's the crucial lesson Godinvites our honest questions.
He is not threatened by ourpain-fueled prayers.
To those feeling crushedbeneath the weight of another's
pride or deception, our groansmatter.
(03:52):
The God of Scripture does notignore the exploited.
He draws near to those who cryout in truth, even when their
faith feels worn very thin.
When the cry becomes a prayer,the pivot in Psalm 10 comes not
with the change of circumstances, but with a shift in
perspective.
Arise, o Lord, o God, lift upyour hand.
(04:15):
Forget not the afflicted, verse12.
This is the turning point of thebiblical lament, when the agony
of the unanswered injusticebecomes the fuel for
intercession.
The psalmist moves fromanalysis to appeal.
He does not pretend that evilhas disappeared, but he
remembers something crucialYahweh is not indifferent.
(04:36):
The wicked may believe that Godhas hidden his face.
But the faithful, remember thatyou do see, for you note
mischief and vexation, that youmay take it into your hands
Verse 14.
The shift is not in God but inthe sufferer.
The one who felt forgotten nowclings to the truth that God is
both just and near.
(04:58):
The prayer is not passive, it'sbold.
It pleads for God to break thearms of the wicked evildoers
Verse 15.
A metaphorical cry for divineintervention to dismantle evil
systems and individual harm.
True faith does not whitewashinjustice.
It groans for God to actagainst it.
If you feel powerless or unsurehow to pray amid injustice,
(05:23):
follow the flow of this psalmStart with your pain, move
towards petition and rememberthe God who sees, hears and will
act.
The Lord reigns the comfort ofthe coming reckoning.
The psalm ends not withvengeance but with confidence.
The Lord is king.
Forever and ever.
(05:44):
The nations perish from hishands.
Forever and ever the nationsperish from his hands Verse 16.
This closing doxology anchorsus in God's reign, a reality
often hidden but never absentwhen the foundations of morality
or society seem to erode.
Psalm 10 reminds us that God'sthrone is not threatened.
His justice may not operate onour timetable, but it is sure.
(06:07):
The psalm closes with a tenderassurance oh Lord, you hear the
desires of the afflicted.
You will strengthen theirhearts.
You will incline your ear,verse 17.
What hope that is for thebroken.
God does not just crush thewicked.
He comforts the wounded.
He listens, he strengthens, heanswers.
(06:28):
In our lives this means thatwe're never truly helpless.
Even when institutions fail orfriends disappear, god is both a
righteous judge and a tenderfather.
He will defend the fatherless,uphold the wronged and
ultimately bring every deed intojudgment.
Now let's look at the doctrinalinsights here in Psalm 10.
(06:50):
First, we see God's sovereignty.
Even when he feels absent, godremains enthroned and active
verse 16.
Second, we see divine justice.
God sees injustice and will actwith perfect judgment verses 14
and 15.
Third, we see human depravityLeft unchecked sin leads to
(07:12):
arrogant denial of God andexploitation of others verses 2
through 11.
Four, we see the gift of lament.
Biblical faith includes spacefor honest lament, not just
triumphant praise.
And number five, we see God'snearness to the afflicted.
He hears, strengthens anddelivers those who cry out to
(07:34):
him verses 17-18.
Now let's put all of thatdoctrine into practice practical
theology.
If you feel abandoned by God,know that Psalm 10 was written
with you in mind.
It gives you language to grieveand guidance to endure.
If injustice has left youfeeling angry or numb, take
comfort in knowing that God seesand will respond in
(07:58):
righteousness.
He is not blind to your pain.
If you are weary from longbattles legal, relational or
emotional remember that Godstrengthens the hearts of those
who seek him.
If your prayer feels weak orunheard, be encouraged.
God hears even your sighs andwill act on your behalf.
(08:19):
If you've been harmed by peoplein power or systems that are
broken, god is not like them.
He defends the fatherless andthe afflicted.
If you are tempted to takevengeance into your own hands,
entrust justice to the Lord, whojudges with truth and mercy.
If you struggle with fear aboutthe future, anchor your heart
(08:42):
in this truth that the Lord isking forever and ever.
Well, let's reflect and respond.
1.
When have you felt like God wasfar away in the face of
injustice and suffering?
2.
What kind of evil in the worldwill tempt you to question God's
(09:02):
nearness or justice?
3.
How does Psalm 10 give youpermission to pray honestly,
even with doubt and frustration?
Number four are there people inyour life or community who need
you to be a voice for justice?
Number five what would it looklike to trust God's justice
(09:25):
instead of trying to control theoutcome?
Number six how can you rest inthe promise that God hears,
strengthens and acts for theafflicted?
Number seven what does thispsalm teach you about waiting
well in seasons of unansweredprayer?
Well, let's pray, father.
(09:46):
Thank you for revealing yourselfthrough the power of your word.
Lord Jesus, thank you for beingthe fulfillment of every
promise and the anchor for everystorm.
Holy Spirit, guide us intodeeper truth, lasting peace and
transforming hope.
Teach us to walk in the truthof this psalm today.
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.
(10:06):
Well, if you're looking formore support, we would encourage
you to join our free navigatorslevel of Lessons for Life
community at jameslongjrorgslash community.
Jameslongjrorg slash communityfor devotionals, meetups and
(10:28):
training to help you walk byfaith meetups and training to
help you walk by faith.
Or you can explore one of ourfull memberships at jameslongorg
slash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow emotionally,relationally and spiritually.
Well, thank you so much forbeing with us.
Hope you're with us next time.
(10:48):
Be blessed, take care.
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