“The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven; His
eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.”
This psalm addresses fear and faith. Before David describes fear’s temptation
to trust in his own strength, devices and plans, he first tells us of his
resolve to trust in God: “In the LORD I put my trust” (Psalm
11:1a). Then it appears that David
repeats a friend’s advice to flee for safety: “How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”?” (Psalm
11:1b) David is upright in heart and the
wicked hate him for it. The wicked hate
anyone righteous, simply because living a righteous life for the glory of God
is condemnation to the wicked. Whether
or not you confront their wickedness with words, the presence of righteousness
is condemnation in itself. And it is
hated.
In this psalm, it appears wickedness has prevailed to such
an extent that there is a breakdown of the moral fabric of society. “If the
foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3) “The foundations, namely, of
society; the pillars or supports of public order, peace,
prosperity. These main pillars are four: authority, justice,
policy, wealth. If these are shaken, the fabric totters. If they
utterly fail, anarchy or tyranny ensues. When war threatens or assails, a weak
distrusted government, an unrighteous cause, incapacity, an empty treasury, are
more dangerous than any foreign foe. And though there were profound peace as
regarded other nations, a nation afflicted with these four evils, one in which
these main pillars break, would be on the verge of ruin. Yet underneath all
these lies a deeper foundation—national character – “Righteousness exalts a
nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34). The particular form in which public
life rested on religion has never been possible for any other nation than
Israel. None other has had a covenant like that of Sinai—an inspired
code of laws; a perfect identity of Church and state. The relations of Church
and state differ in different lands; are matter of controversy. This does not
change the fact that public as much as private life—that of the nation no less
than of the individual—is healthful, safe, prosperous, truly free, only as it
conforms to God’s law: is just, truthful, temperate, pure, peaceable,
benevolent.” (eSword)
Are the foundations of America destroyed? Are we headed for anarchy or tyranny? Have we seen any of these main pillars (authority, justice, policy, wealth) break? Indeed, the news indicates a divided
government, which is always weaker than a united government. Not only is the authority of the government
considered weak, but even local law enforcement has lost the respect of
citizens. As to justice, it fails when
the laws do not apply to certain individuals or groups and when there are
special interest groups elevated over others such that not all people are
considered equal. As to policy, or laws
of the country, they are being re-written without consideration of the laws of
God. And lastly, history has shown us
that a nation that prints money has lost its wealth.
So to whom or what do we run in times such as these, when
the foundations are destroyed? We turn
to our God Almighty and have faith in Him.
We know that He sees all and misses nothing. “God made us in His image to reflect who He is,
and so to bring Him glory. Since the
Lord is righteous, He wants us to act in righteous ways. And through His Spirit He gives us the power
we need.” (Charles Stanley) As fear and
thoughts of defeat enter our minds, replace such thoughts with the truth of the
Word of God: “For whatever is born of God
overcomes the world. And this is the
victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)
It is said that a tree that is shaken (say by wind) will
grow its roots deeper and stronger. Our
faith is similar. Not that our faith is to be shaken, rather when the world around you begins to shake, that you
deepen your faith. How? By spending time in His Holy Word. There we find His promises to carry us through. By spending time in prayer. As we talk to God, and be quiet to listen, He
brings things to mind that make us realize His incomparable love for us. Also, our faith is encouraged in the presence
of other Christians. If you are not
already in a truth speaking, Biblical based church, ask God to guide you with His
Holy Spirit to the right church. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the
more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) Sometimes it may feel like it, but you are
not alone. Do not succumb to the same
pity party as Elijah: “So he said, “I
have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel
have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets
with the sword. I alone am left; and
they seek to take my life.” (1 Kings 19:10)
Elijah, a significant prophet and man of God, was corrected by our Holy
Creator. Not only did God Almighty never leave nor forsake him, but God informed Elijah: “Yet I have reserved seven
thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth
that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18)
Lastly, our faith is encouraged by remembering the character
of our God. He is mighty to save, He is
the great provider, He is omniscient and omnipotent, He is Holy, Righteous and
Just. “Let us by faith see God on this
throne, on his throne of glory, infinitely transcending the splendour and
majesty of earthly princes—on his throne of government, giving law, giving
motion, and giving aim, to all the creatures—on his throne of judgment,
rendering to every man according to his works—and on his throne of grace, to
which his people may come boldly for mercy and grace; we shall then see no
reason to be discouraged by the pride and power of oppressors, or any of the
afflictions that attend the righteous. In
singing this psalm we must encourage and engage ourselves to trust in God at
all times, must depend upon him to protect our innocence and make us happy,
must dread his frowns as worse than death and desire his favour as better than
life.” (Matthew Henry)
May you grow in the grace and knowledge and delight of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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