God is still in control

Here in Malaysia, our democratically-elected government has just been overthrown. Yesterday, a new prime minister has been sworn in, and with him, the whole gang that we ousted in the 2018 elections for their corruption is back in power. So it is particularly timely that in my Bible reading plan today had me read Psalm 10, 11, and 12.

The wicked, in the pride of his face,
has no room in his thoughts for God.

He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net.
The helpless are crushed.

He says in his heart, “God has forgotten.
He hides his face.
He will never see it.”

Arise, Yahweh!
God, lift up your hand!
Don’t forget the helpless.
Why does the wicked person condemn God,
and say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account?”
But you do see trouble and grief.
You consider it to take it into your hand.
You help the victim and the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked.
As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.

Yahweh is King forever and ever!
The nations will perish out of his land.
Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble.
You will prepare their heart.
You will cause your ear to hear,
to judge the fatherless and the oppressed,
that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.

Psalm 10:4, 9b-10a, 11-18,

Amen, Lord, we pray this psalm as we see what is happening in our land, as we see our country usurped by unscrupulous people. In Jesus' name, amen.

Yahweh is in his holy temple.
Yahweh is on his throne in heaven.
His eyes observe.
His eyes examine the children of men.
Yahweh examines the righteous,
but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
On the wicked he will rain blazing coals;
fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
For Yahweh is righteous.
He loves righteousness.
The upright shall see his face.

Psalm 11:4-7

Father, I take comfort in the fact that You are still on the throne. You are still in control, in spite of what we see here on earth. We rest in Your promise that the upright shall see Your face.

“Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy,
I will now arise,” says Yahweh;
“I will set him in safety from those who malign him.”
Yahweh’s words are flawless words,
as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
You will keep them, Yahweh.
You will preserve them from this generation forever.

Psalm 12:5-7

Amen and amen.