Psalm 10:17-18
“You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.” (Psalm 10:17-18)
Don’t you love to root for the underdogs?
That team nobody expects to win? That person who didn’t have all the training, expertise, or finances to succeed and yet, somehow, pulls it out in the end?
People flock to movies and read books about these kind of underdogs all the time.
God loves underdogs, too. He defends the fatherless and oppressed. Being an earthly mortal makes us all underdogs, and yet there are some on earth who live more stressed, less blessed, and less supported than others.
The fatherless never choose to be without a father. God steps in and says, “I’ll be your Father.”
The oppressed don’t want to be oppressed. God steps in and says, “I’ll defend you.”
The afflicted hate their affliction. God steps in and says, “I’ll heal you.”
Underdogs, God is on your side and He’s rooting for you.
This verse reveals a crucial truth about God’s heart: He’s drawn to the underdog. While the world celebrates the powerful, the privileged, and the well-connected, God defends the fatherless and the oppressed. While earthly systems favor those with resources, God steps in for those who have nothing.
Notice what the psalmist says God does: He hears the desire of the afflicted. He encourages them. He listens to their cry. He defends them. This isn’t a distant God observing from heaven with mild interest. This is a God who actively intervenes on behalf of those the world has forgotten or oppressed.
Being an earthly mortal makes us all underdogs. We’re all limited, vulnerable, and facing challenges beyond our control. But there are some on earth who live more stressed, less blessed, and less supported than others. Some people start life with every advantage while others begin with strikes already against them. Some have safety nets and support systems while others are alone and vulnerable.
God sees all of that. And He has a special place in His heart for those who are most disadvantaged.
The fatherless never choose to be without a father. No child asks to grow up without a dad. But God steps in and says, “I’ll be your Father.”
The oppressed don’t want to be oppressed. No one volunteers to be mistreated, marginalized, or crushed by systems of power. But God steps in and says, “I’ll defend you.”
The afflicted hate their affliction. No one enjoys suffering or chooses pain. But God steps in and says, “I’ll heal you.”
This is the God we serve—one who roots for the underdog and fights on behalf of those who can’t fight for themselves.
If you’re the underdog right now, take heart. God is on your side and He’s rooting for you. You may not have the training, expertise, or finances. You may be fatherless, oppressed, or afflicted. You may be more stressed, less blessed, and less supported than others. But you have something more valuable than any earthly advantage: you have God’s attention, God’s defense, and God’s intervention.
You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted. Bring your desires to Him. He’s listening. You encourage them, and you listen to their cry. Cry out to Him. He’s not ignoring you. He’s defending the fatherless and the oppressed. Let Him fight for you. Stop trying to defend yourself when God Himself is your defender.
The psalmist says that God does all this “so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.” God’s ultimate goal is to remove the terror that powerful people inflict on vulnerable ones. He wants to end the oppression. He wants to establish justice. He wants the fatherless to have a Father, the oppressed to be freed, the afflicted to be healed.
If you’re not the underdog—if you have power, privilege, resources, or position—look around. Who are the underdogs in your sphere of influence? God defends them. Are you joining Him in that work, or are you part of the system that oppresses them? Are you being a father to the fatherless, standing up for the oppressed, caring for the afflicted? Or are you one of the “mere earthly mortals” striking terror into those who are vulnerable?
God loves underdogs. Make sure you’re on His side.
Lord, thank You for being a God who defends the underdog. You hear the desire of the afflicted, You encourage them, and You listen to their cry. You defend the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
Right now, I feel like an underdog. [Name your specific situations where you feel disadvantaged, stressed, or unsupported.] I’m more stressed, less blessed, and less supported than others. But thank You that being an earthly mortal makes me exactly the kind of person You love to defend.
I’m fatherless in some ways—lacking the support, guidance, or protection I need. Step in and be my Father. I’m oppressed by circumstances, systems, or people beyond my control. Step in and defend me. I’m afflicted and hurting. Step in and heal me.
Help me to bring my desires to You, knowing You hear them. Help me to cry out to You, trusting You listen. Help me to let You fight for me instead of trying to defend myself.
And if I have advantages others don’t have, show me the underdogs around me that You’re calling me to defend, support, or father. Don’t let me be one of the “mere earthly mortals” who strikes terror into vulnerable people. Make me part of Your work of justice and defense.
God, You’re on the side of the underdog, and You’re rooting for me. Thank You for hearing, encouraging, defending, and healing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.