Why Are You So Far Away, God?

Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1 (CSB)

Panic quickly set in as I searched for my infant son and couldn’t find him. He was nowhere to be found and all I could do was imagine the worse…he was gone.

Although that was thirty-four years ago, and my panic eventually turned into rejoicing after discovering him sleeping peacefully in his bassinet at the end of our bed, I still remember the terror that pulsed through my body as I desperately searched for him and couldn’t find him.

I’ve had a similar feeling of terror lately with all that is happening in our world and right here in our own backyard. This time, however, I’m not desperately looking for my son to show up, I’m desperately looking for God to show up.

I not only want to find Him, I want to find Him busily doling out justice. I want Him to put an end to all those who devise and carry out their evil plans. All the wicked in heart who commit such atrocities against children and those who delight in the shedding of blood and the silencing of godliness.

How about you? Have you been wondering where God is in all this violence and depravity? If so, it is completely understandable. Even the writer of Psalm 10 wonders where God is as he surveys the evil of his day.

He opens with, “Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble?” The writer is asking an honest, heartfelt question (one that I’m sure we have all asked at some point in our life). He sees the evil and the injustice and wonders just where is the God he knows. The God of whom he says in verse 16, “The Lord is King for ever and ever…”

In other words, he is acknowledging the sovereignty of God and questioning why the sovereign God is allowing these evil people, who murder the innocent (v 8) and further oppress the poor (vs 9-10), to continue in their evil without punishment? “Don’t you see it, God? Do something!”

Now, what I’m about to admit to you is far from having a heart like Christ like I’m supposed to as a follower of Christ but…

I take every bit of pleasure there is in seeing an aggressive driver being pulled over by the police. I shouldn’t, I know. But there is something so gratifying about seeing those blue and red flashing lights atop that police car pursuing and eventually subduing the one who could kill someone with their reckless driving. The one with absolutely no regard for law or life. It thrills me beyond all measure to see justice being served. And isn’t that what we all long for?

Not only is justice served, but the only one who can serve justice is actually present. They’re on the scene and witness the driver breaking the law. That, to me, is where the gratification lies—the presence of the one who can serve the justice. I like to imagine the officer saying (because I am the way I am), “You thought you could get away with driving like you’re qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 with zero regard for anyone but yourself? You think you are above the law? You are about to find out that you are not!”

At first, the police officer may have been hidden from plain view, but he quickly showed up and took action when action was needed.

So will God.

God is not hiding. He is not unaware of those perpetrating evil nor the cries of the humble (v 17). If you read Psalm 10 in its entirety, you will notice that the psalmist begins his psalm questioning where God is. However, by its end he declares his expectant deliverance—in due time— from God for the vulnerable and oppressed.

Psalm 10:14a assures us that God sees the evil and is present in its midst. It reads, “But you yourself have seen trouble and grief, observing it in order to take the matter into your hands.”

Friend, this should encourage us more than flashing lights atop a police car! God is not inactive. He is not unaware. He is observing it all and will take the matter into His own hands. No earthly punishment will ever be as perfect and absolute as the justice God will one day levy against those who have committed evil in His sight. Who have committed evil against His children. And, like His justice which is perfect, so is His timing.

The terror I felt when I couldn't find my infant son turned into rejoicing upon realizing he had been there all along. Likewise, knowing that God has been here all along, the “terror” we have been feeling in the face of all the evil and violence that is seemingly going unpunished should now be silenced and a joyful assurance take its place.

In the meantime, while we wait on God’s perfect timing and justice, we can pray. Below, I have paraphrased the prayer the psalmist prayed in verses 12-18. It is my hope that you will find comfort and hope as you read/say it. Put it into your own words and pray it out loud! Speak the name of Jesus. There is power and authority just in His name!

“Rise up, Lord God! Lift up your hand and do not forget those who suffer.

Why do the wicked think You won’t call them to account? (Fools!)

You see all the trouble and grief they cause—they do not escape your notice.

You take it into Your hands, and the helpless can put their trust in You.

You are the defender of the fatherless. Break the power of the wicked—seek out their evil until none of it is left.

The Lord reigns forever and ever!

You hear the cries of the humble. You strengthen their hearts and listen closely to their pleas.

You bring justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that evil done by man will no longer spread terror on the earth.”

The Lord will rise up!

I can almost see the flashing lights now.