The God Who Leans In

You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear, to vindicate the fatherless and the oppressed, that the men of the earth may terrify them no more.
— Psalm 10:17-18


Psalm 10 opens with a haunting question: “Why, O LORD, do You stand far off?” It is the cry of those who suffer injustice, those who feel abandoned as cruelty flourishes unchecked. But the psalm’s conclusion reveals a deep and lasting truth—God is not far off. He is near. He hears. He leans in. “You will incline Your ear,” the psalmist says, offering an image of God bending low to catch even the quietest prayer of the humble. It is a picture of intimate attentiveness and divine tenderness.

This passage speaks directly to those who feel invisible—to the fatherless, the oppressed, the weary whose voices have gone unheard by the world. They are not forgotten by God. He hears their desires, strengthens their hearts, and promises vindication. The injustices that seem unshakable are not final. The fear that has taken root in lives will not last forever. God is working to restore what is broken and silence the power of the oppressor.

For those who walk with the Lord, this passage offers comfort—but also a calling. We are not only meant to rest in the knowledge that God leans in; we are meant to reflect His nearness. Consider your own relationships—are there people around you who feel voiceless or afraid? What might it mean for you to “incline your ear” to them? How could your compassion strengthen their hearts?

This week, take a simple step toward someone who may feel overlooked—a grieving widow, a struggling teenager, a single parent, an overwhelmed coworker. Practice deep listening. Let your presence be steady and gentle, asking no performance but offering genuine care. As you listen, you bear witness to the God who listens. As you strengthen another, you become a channel of the God who strengthens.


O God who hears,

Thank You for drawing near to the brokenhearted and for leaning close to the cries of the oppressed. Help me to trust in Your justice, even when the world feels overwhelming. Strengthen my heart, and use me to strengthen others. Let me not be silent when others are terrified. Let me not be passive when others are mistreated. Shape me into one who listens as You listen, and loves as You love.

I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

-

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