PSALM 10:1–6 Proud Prayerlessness
READ: PSALM 10:1–6 (LUKE 11:9–13) V. 4 “In his pride the wicked does not seek him.” (NIV)
The psalmist laments to God about the apparent freedom the wicked in Israel have to oppress the helpless. In the process he describes the thinking of the evildoer, “In all his thoughts there is no room for God” (v. 4, NIV). These are Israelites who don’t deny God’s existence but act as if he doesn’t exist. They go about their business as if God forgets or doesn’t see what they do (v. 11).
Aside from their thinking, what is such a person like? How can we be sure that we’re not this kind of church member? The Holy Spirit tells us that this kind of person doesn’t seek God (v. 4). Seeking God means praying to him. Think of what the Lord Jesus Christ said when he was instructing his disciples in prayer, “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9). True disciples pray earnestly and persistently but the wicked man among God’s people does not truly pray.
Why doesn’t he pray? Has he never been taught how? Does he feel inadequate? No, remember the first part of verse 4: “In his pride the wicked does not seek him.” In his arrogance he doesn’t think he needs God. He figures he can manage quite well on his own with his self-sufficiency and self-esteem (v. 6). He is lord of his life and he doesn’t require help, forgiveness, or salvation. Pride and prayer are contradictory.
On the other hand, prayer and humility go hand in hand! The psalmist is humble. He acknowledges that he is not lord of his life but that he needs help and salvation in this life. He seeks God for all his needs, in particular for God’s grace in the promised Christ.
This passage compels us to look at ourselves. Could I be the wicked, proud person that Psalm 10 describes? When prayer is happening in the family or in church, do I fake it? Are my thoughts miles away? When I’m alone, do I make time to pray to my heavenly Father? Do I want to?
Look at what God has done for us in Jesus Christ and whatever pride you have will start melting away. Christ our servant-King can make the proudest person a humble prayer.
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