TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Seeing the man born blind, the disciples want to know who is responsible for this man’s condition. They ask Jesus whose sin caused the man to be born with this disability—him or his parents. The question comes from two schools of teaching in1st-century Israel. A popular view was that a baby could sin while still in his mother’s womb. Another view taught that God seems to punish children for the sins of their parents. The disciples want to know, “Why? Why did this unfortunate thing happen?” Jesus doesn’t rebuke them for their powerful question. Instead, he invites their question so he can lead them to greater trust.
The question isn’t original with the disciples. The Psalmist asks the same thing, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off?” (Psalm 10:1a) 700 years earlier. In the face of tragedy, he asks, “Why?”—the same as the disciples. Psalm 10 is a lament. While a lament in the Psalms expresses deep sorrow, grief or regret—it usually doesn’t end there. It often ends by emphasizing trust in God. “You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” (Psalm 10:17).
We ask this question too. In life’s tragedies, the Bible teaches us God wants us to bring our pain and questions of “Why?” to him.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Write a prayer of lament in your journal. Use Psalm 10 or Psalm 22 as a model, and don’t hold anything back. Bring every one of your “Why?” questions to God. Then remind yourself that God is trustworthy. Psalm 10:17-18 and Psalm 22:22-31 are good examples of ways to end your lament.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
PHILIPPIANS 4:5b–7
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
