From: Jon Yeager
“Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10.1
“The LORD is king forever and ever…Oh LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted.”
Psalm 10.16a, 17a
I don’t like when things get misplaced. It could be keys or a phone, but the slightest change in their location usually unleashes a degree of frustration in me that’s followed by a chaotic search for this hidden item. Obviously, this is something I can quickly move beyond. But I think Psalm 10 expresses something similar, yet concerning something that has far more significance. God is hidden. His rule over his world seems to be misplaced as evil works its way throughout creation and in mankind. Yet, through the psalmist’s plea and search, he finds himself in a place of renewed confidence that nothing can truly displace God as king over all his creation.
There are still many times I sense God’s hiddenness. God isn’t easy to find when you are riding the T to work, or you’re stuck in car or human traffic throughout Boston, or when you force yourself to get clued into the happenings around the world. However, 1 John 2 reminds us of the powerful reality that the body of Christ, his church, has to reflect the reign of God through Christ. It is a difficult responsibility, but through the work of the Spirit, we are called to be active reminders that “the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” May our love for one another be the light of Christ that renews our confidence in our Lord who is king forever.
“Whoever loves a brother or sister, lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.” 1 John 2.10
I, my wife Brittany, and daughter Ellie live in Arlington. I work for a Christian leadership organization called Christian Union on Harvard’s campus.