by Jerry Senn
If so, listen to a few helpful remarks from the pen of David:
1 In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
2 “Flee like a bird to the mountain,
for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
they have lifted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright of heart;
3 if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
5 The Lord tests the righteous,
his soul hates violence.
6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind
shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.
—Psalm 11
We will never know what David is facing as he writes this Psalm. However, things were falling apart, crumbling before his eyes. What can he do?
In verses 1-3, we hear the advice David hears from outside sources. Discouragement seems a logical response.
In verses 4-7, is a sharp contract, David saw God as still on his throne (v 4), he has not been removed by trouble and clearly sees the problems, allowing the situation to test the righteous.
In verses 5-6, David takes comfort in the fact that God’s judgment is certain for the evil forces.
In verse 7, we hear God’s heart express his faithfulness to those whose faith holds on during terrible times.
God will never forsake his children, no matter how tough the times?