Stories of Scars, Wounds, and Boasts:

• 1985 Hearing a story of a “hot tub” incident that didn’t seem right at the time only years later that I realized may have been a gang rape situation.
• 1990 Classmate leaving college early due to a sexual assault.
• 1992 Used the term “rape” in an inappropriate manner only to have a female friend blow up at me—discovering later she was a victim.
• 1993 a mentor having been accused by several boys for inappropriate relationship or advances. Never charged.
• 1993 a friend sharing that he had been sexually assaulted for years by his brother.
• 1996 taking the step of calling “children and youth” to report a situation only to have the victim back track on her story. Threatened for smearing his name.  Years later the perpetrator was convicted and did time.
• Stories of emotional abuse, verbal abuse, and physical abuse have happened.
• It has been an unfortunate common experience in counseling victims as a pastor and sometimes as a family member.

The stories are real and questions abound. 

Why does it seem abusers get away with it?
Why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this?
How could they…I trusted them!?!
Where was God while I was being abused?
Why did God not protect me?

Psalm 10 is a Psalm of David on behalf of another or perhaps himself.

• He was physically and emotionally abused by King Saul.
• He sexually assaulted a married woman and murdered to cover it up.

Read Psalm 10 

Traits of an abuser.  Psalm 10:1-11

• Attracted to the vulnerable. (2)
  
  
• Arrogantly affirms cravings. (3)
  • Makes light of greed or desires.
  • Dismisses dark thoughts or actions of others.
• Defies authority. (3-4)
  
  
• Dismisses opposition or accusation. (5)
  
  
• Feels invincible. (6)
  • Conscience is seared.
  • Convinced no one cares or he/she will not be caught.

• Deceives self and others. (7)
  • Shifting stories.
  • Shifting ideas.

• Gets near victims with secret ambitions. (8-9)
  • Stalks them like a lion.

• Convinced God is uninvested in human plight. (11)
  • Believes God does not care to notice.
  • Believes God is limited in what he can see. 

Cry for help…Step Up God! Psalm 10:12-13, 15

• Use your power—don’t forget these victims! (12)
  
  
• How does the abuser get away with defying you? (13)
  
  
• “Break the arm” of the abuser. (15)
  • Render him powerless.

• Hold him accountable. 

Message to the victim—The truth is…God cares. Psalm 10:14-18

• He does see the brokenness. (14a)
  
  
• He considers the hurt and responds with authority. (14b)
  
  
• He stands in the gap for the fatherless. (14c)

Be glad that God is the God he is.  Psalm 10:16-18

• He is King forever. (16)
  • In control.
  • Has authority.
  • Is not limited in his ability to address the injustice.
• He hears, listens, and encourages the victim. (17)
  
  
• He goes to battle for the victim. (18)

Discussion Guide:

1. In light of Psalm 10:1-11, how would you define the common traits of an abuser? Have you seen these traits displayed in someone you knew or know is or has been an abuser? If so, share the warning signs you saw that could tip someone to being more cautious with such a person. 
2. Psalm 10:12-3, 15 reveals the psalmist’s heart appeal to God to do something…anything to stop the abuse. Have you or someone you know been at such a place before God?  If so, share if you are willing.
3. Psalm 10:14-18 gives a message to the victim but also to the abuser. In light of these verses, what message would you share with someone who has been abused? What message does this text give to the abuser?
4. How does this text help reveal God’s approach to the seemingly unchecked abuse that is going on in our society?