“Code four! We have the 10-15 in custody.” For police officers, these words are often music to the ears, signaling the successful conclusion of a manhunt, pursuit, or other intense event leading to the capture of a suspect. For those outside of law enforcement, “code four” means no further assistance is necessary, and “10-15” is the radio code referring to a suspect who has been captured.
Interestingly, October 15th holds a unique significance for some officers. There’s a long-standing joke about the calendar date “10/15” coinciding with booking a “10-15” – a prisoner. This playful observation took on a deeper meaning for one officer while studying Scripture on October 15, 2015.
Reading Psalm 10:15, a passage written by King David, brought about a moment of profound reflection and even laughter: “Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.” The verse’s stark imagery, particularly the phrase “Break the arm,” immediately brought to mind violent encounters where bones were indeed broken during an arrest situation.
To understand David’s meaning, context is key. In Psalm 10, David pours out his heart, deeply lamenting the prevalence of wickedness. He vividly describes the evil schemes and the suffering caused by evildoers, pleading with God for divine intervention. He yearned to see them “caught in their plots,” sounding much like a frustrated detective struggling to apprehend notorious criminals. By verse 15, his desperation is palpable as he cries out, “Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer. Seek out his wickedness until You find none.”
King David clearly believed that wicked individuals were acting in defiance of a holy and just God. Whether his request was symbolic, representing the removal of their power and ability to harm, or a literal plea for physical incapacitation, he undoubtedly hoped God would strip the corrupt of their strength and influence.
Do you ever feel this same frustration, seeing evil seemingly go unchecked in the world? Take solace in the concluding words of Psalm 10. David finishes his lament with a powerful declaration of God’s justice and sovereignty: “The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from His land. O Lord, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.”
God’s justice will ultimately be complete, but it will unfold in His perfect timing, not necessarily ours. So, have a blessed 10/15 – celebrating the day, and perhaps reflecting on the pursuit of justice, rather than focusing solely on the suspect!