Prayer and Trust Amidst Wickedness and God's Sovereignty

 

Summary

Psalm 10 presents a profound exploration of prayer in the face of wickedness and the seeming absence of God. This psalm, like many others, serves as a training manual for prayer, offering a scriptural guide to approaching God in times of distress. The psalm begins with a stark depiction of the wicked, who appear to be prevailing. David, the psalmist, describes the wicked as proud, foul-mouthed, greedy, violent, and godless. These characteristics are not just external behaviors but reflect a deeper spiritual condition that denies God and exalts self. The wicked convince themselves there is no God, yet paradoxically, they also fear divine accountability, revealing an inner conflict.

David's response to the rampant wickedness is to lay out his concerns before God in detail. This teaches us the importance of not rushing through our prayers but taking time to express the full dimensions of our burdens to God. The psalm also reminds us that wickedness is not a new phenomenon; it merely takes on new forms. This understanding helps us not to be shaken in our faith when we see evil seemingly triumphing.

The psalm transitions from a focus on the wicked to a focus on God. David moves from questioning God's apparent distance to affirming God's sovereignty and justice. He realizes that his initial thoughts mirrored those of the wicked, and through prayer, his faith is renewed. David acknowledges God's omniscience, power, and eternal reign, which provides a foundation for trust even when circumstances are dire.

Ultimately, the psalm points us to Christ, who fully understands the experience of facing wickedness and feeling forsaken. Jesus, who endured the cross and triumphed over evil, offers us his presence and strength. He invites us to trust in him, promising that one day he will return to eradicate all wickedness. Until then, we are encouraged to pray with confidence, knowing that God is with us and active in us, even when he seems far away.

Key Takeaways:

- The Nature of Wickedness: Wickedness is characterized by pride, foul speech, greed, violence, and godlessness. These traits reflect a heart that denies God and exalts self. Recognizing these traits helps us understand the spiritual battle we face and the importance of guarding our hearts against such influences. [04:27]

- The Inner Conflict of the Wicked: Despite their denial of God, the wicked experience an inner conflict, as they cannot fully escape the sense of divine accountability. This tension reveals the truth that all are made in God's image and live in his world, making the suppression of God a constant struggle. [12:49]

- Prayer as a Means of Transformation: David's prayer begins with a complaint but ends with confidence. This transformation occurs as he prays, highlighting the power of prayer to renew faith and change our perspective. Prayer is not just about presenting requests but also about aligning our hearts with God's truth. [27:46]

- God's Sovereignty and Justice: In the face of wickedness, we are reminded of God's omniscience, power, and eternal reign. These attributes provide a foundation for trust, assuring us that God sees every injustice and will ultimately bring about justice. Our hope is anchored in God's unchanging character. [29:20]

- Christ's Triumph Over Wickedness: Jesus fully understands the experience of facing wickedness and feeling forsaken. He triumphed over evil through his death and resurrection, offering us his presence and strength. We are invited to trust in him, knowing that he will one day return to eradicate all wickedness. [34:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to the Series
- [01:03] - The Wicked Seem to Be Winning
- [02:32] - David's Response to Wickedness
- [04:19] - Five-Point Profile of the Wicked
- [07:08] - The Inner Conflict of the Wicked
- [10:22] - The Contradiction in the Wicked's Heart
- [12:30] - Encouragement for Believers
- [15:42] - Lessons from the School of Prayer
- [19:34] - Understanding the Nature of Wickedness
- [22:00] - Praying When God Seems Far Away
- [25:40] - How the Holy Spirit Leads in Prayer
- [28:14] - Renewed Faith Through Prayer
- [31:35] - God's Sovereignty and Justice
- [34:36] - Christ's Triumph Over Wickedness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 10

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 10

Observation Questions:
1. How does David describe the characteristics and actions of the wicked in Psalm 10? ([01:41])
2. What is David's initial reaction to the wickedness he observes, and how does he express this in his prayer? ([02:53])
3. What are the five distinguishing marks of a wicked person according to the sermon? ([04:19])
4. How does David's perspective shift throughout the psalm, and what causes this change? ([27:46])

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the inner conflict of the wicked reveal about their understanding of God, and how does this tension manifest in their thoughts? ([11:15])
2. How does David's prayer serve as a means of transformation, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? ([24:23])
3. In what ways does the psalm affirm God's sovereignty and justice, and how does this provide a foundation for trust? ([29:20])
4. How does the sermon connect the experiences of David in Psalm 10 to the life and triumph of Christ over wickedness? ([34:36])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the characteristics of wickedness described in the sermon. Are there any traits you recognize in yourself that you need to address? How can you take steps to guard your heart against these influences? ([15:02])
2. When you feel overwhelmed by the presence of evil in the world, how can you use prayer to express your concerns to God fully? What practical steps can you take to ensure you don't rush through your prayers? ([03:12])
3. Have you ever experienced a time when God seemed far away? How did you respond, and what can you learn from David's example in Psalm 10 to strengthen your faith during such times? ([22:42])
4. How can the understanding of God's omniscience and justice help you trust Him more deeply in the face of personal injustices or challenges? ([29:38])
5. In what ways can you draw strength from Christ's triumph over wickedness in your daily life? How does His promise to return and eradicate all wickedness impact your perspective on current struggles? ([34:36])
6. Consider a situation where you might be tempted to think like the wicked, doubting God's presence or justice. How can you realign your thoughts with God's truth and promises? ([27:16])
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to stop thinking like the wicked and start trusting God more. What practical steps can you take this week to make this shift? ([28:14])

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Traits of Wickedness
Wickedness is characterized by pride, foul speech, greed, violence, and godlessness. These traits are not merely external actions but reflect a deeper spiritual condition that denies God and exalts self. Understanding these characteristics helps us recognize the spiritual battle we face and the importance of guarding our hearts against such influences. The wicked convince themselves there is no God, yet paradoxically, they also fear divine accountability, revealing an inner conflict. This tension highlights the truth that all are made in God's image and live in his world, making the suppression of God a constant struggle. [04:27]

"For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'" (Psalm 10:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your own heart. Are there areas where pride, greed, or godlessness have taken root? How can you actively guard against these influences today?


Day 2: The Inner Conflict of the Wicked
Despite their denial of God, the wicked experience an inner conflict, as they cannot fully escape the sense of divine accountability. This tension reveals the truth that all are made in God's image and live in his world, making the suppression of God a constant struggle. The wicked's inner conflict serves as a reminder that no one can completely escape the reality of God's presence and justice. This understanding can encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God's truth is ultimately inescapable. [12:49]

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt conflicted about a decision or action. How did your awareness of God's presence influence your choice? How can you be more mindful of divine accountability in your daily life?


Day 3: Transformation Through Prayer
David's prayer begins with a complaint but ends with confidence. This transformation occurs as he prays, highlighting the power of prayer to renew faith and change our perspective. Prayer is not just about presenting requests but also about aligning our hearts with God's truth. Through prayer, we can move from questioning God's apparent distance to affirming His sovereignty and justice. This process of transformation through prayer is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking time to express the full dimensions of our burdens to God. [27:46]

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a current struggle or burden you are facing. How can you use prayer to transform your perspective and align your heart with God's truth today?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Sovereignty and Justice
In the face of wickedness, we are reminded of God's omniscience, power, and eternal reign. These attributes provide a foundation for trust, assuring us that God sees every injustice and will ultimately bring about justice. Our hope is anchored in God's unchanging character, and this assurance allows us to remain steadfast even when circumstances are dire. By focusing on God's sovereignty and justice, we can find peace and confidence in His ultimate plan. [29:20]

"The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence." (Psalm 11:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's justice? How can you remind yourself of His sovereignty and find peace in His ultimate plan today?


Day 5: Christ's Triumph Over Wickedness
Jesus fully understands the experience of facing wickedness and feeling forsaken. He triumphed over evil through his death and resurrection, offering us his presence and strength. We are invited to trust in him, knowing that he will one day return to eradicate all wickedness. Until that day, we can find comfort and strength in Christ's victory, knowing that He is with us and active in us, even when He seems far away. This assurance encourages us to pray with confidence and trust in His ultimate triumph. [34:36]

"He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Colossians 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: How does Christ's victory over wickedness give you hope in your current circumstances? What steps can you take today to trust in His presence and strength in your life?

Quotes


David's response to the rampant wickedness is to lay out his concerns before God in detail. This teaches us the importance of not rushing through our prayers but taking time to express the full dimensions of our burdens to God. The psalm also reminds us that wickedness is not a new phenomenon; it merely takes on new forms. [00:03:00]

The wicked person is proud, that's in verse 2 and three and four and six. Verse two in arrogance the wicked hotly pursues the poor. Verse three the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul. Isn't that fascinating? Here's a mark of wickedness that the wicked make a virtue of whatever they want to do. [00:04:26]

The wicked person is known by pride, by their foul mouth, and by their greed. Number four, distinguishing mark of violence. Verse 9, though it runs right through verse 8 and 10, he lurks in ambush like a lion in the thicket. Now maybe you know someone who's like this. [00:07:08]

There is a contradiction that lies at the very heart of the experience of a wicked person. On the one hand, in verse four, all his thoughts are that there is no God. No God, he keeps saying that to himself. There's no God, there's no God, there's no God. [00:11:04]

The wicked person cannot quite escape the sense that there is a Divine being and so resorts to an alternative argument. This is what lawyers do in the court when they're failing. You know, well, that argument's not working, this is an alternative argument. [00:12:04]

Wickedness is not a new phenomenon; it only takes new forms. In other words, wickedness is like it dresses itself in different ways so it has a different outward appearance, but its core reality is still the same. In one generation, wickedness is clothed in hypocrisy. [00:16:03]

The more that we understand the nature of the world in which we live, the more we will not only pray but the more we will long for the new Heaven and the new Earth, which is the home of righteousness where sin shall be no more. [00:21:47]

David was praying in the Spirit even when he felt that God was far away. That's of huge importance. You try and juggle that in your mind and try and take that in. David was praying in the Holy Spirit even when he felt that God was far away. [00:24:43]

The very act of being in prayer is the means that the Holy Spirit uses to renew faith and to change David in the very presence of God. It's wonderful. Campbell Morgan puts it this way: he says this prayer begins with a complaint and it ends with confidence. [00:27:33]

God knows every injustice that has ever happened in the history of the world, and he knows everything that has happened to you. If you have been oppressed, if you have been mistreated, if you've been taken advantage of by an unscrupulous person, God knows all about it. [00:29:36]

Christ knows what it is to stand alone when the wicked seem to be winning. He says to his enemies, this is your hour when darkness reigns. Christ knows what it is for the wicked to lurk in ambush day after day. [00:32:59]

Christ not only endured the wickedness, he triumphed over it. Remember how on the day of Pentecost Peter said to the crowd, now you with the help of wicked men you put him to death nailing him to a cross but God raised him up. [00:34:32]

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Transcript
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