When the pain sickens, the pulse quickens, or the plot thickens you might be in a crisis. Sometimes you find yourself amid a perplexing crisis as was the case with the psalmist. In Psalm 10:1-18 we find the record of a passionate cry amid a perplexing crisis.

The psalmist expresses his consternation about God. Psalm 10:1 reads, "Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?" Remember, even Jesus cried from the cross, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" as we read in Matthew 27:46.

The psalmist expresses his concerns to God. Notice his concern about the arrogant animosity of the wicked toward the vulnerable in Psalm 10:2-11, "The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. His ways are always prospering; Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; As for all his enemies, he sneers at them. He has said in his heart, 'I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity.' His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity. He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; He lies in wait to catch the poor; He catches the poor when he draws him into his net. So he crouches, he lies low, That the helpless may fall by his strength. He has said in his heart, 'God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.'"

The psalmist expresses his confidence in God. First, he expresses confidence through prayer. "Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble. Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, 'You will not require an account.' But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Seek out his wickedness until You find none" (Psalm 10:12-15). Second, he expresses confidence through praise. "The Lord is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land. Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more" (Psalm 10:16-18).

When, not if, you find yourself in such a crisis, remember it is good to make a passionate cry amid a perplexing crisis.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.