By: Elder Mark Wattenbarger
In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? Psa 11:1
In Psalm 11, David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, was inspired to direct his thoughts towards the source of his trust. In no uncertain terms, David writes of his unshakable trust in God.
There is no better place to put one’s trust than in the great I AM! If our trust is in the LORD, then how dare anyone tell us to run and hide in our homes or places of refuge? Had David been incensed, perhaps insulted that someone suggested his trust was not well placed? How cunning the enemy: when he cannot overthrow us, he resorts to making us doubt and fear, and leading us to mistrust our precious Lord.
“For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psa 11:2-3
David goes on to describe the art of the enemy. The wicked are ready to attack, having prepared to ambush God’s little sheep, ready to stealthily destroy those who trust in God, those “upright in heart.” And then David poses the question which arrested my attention, ‘What are we (the righteous) to do if the foundations (of trust and belief in the power and justice of God) are destroyed?’ This question is left standing alone, providing a pause for reflection and emphasis.
There are different manifestations of this question being asked in all corners of this country. The center does not seem to be holding and men and women with no regard for God’s truth and God’s justice are rising up to take positions of influence. They tell us that the quaint notion of absolute truth that we cling to is naïve and laughable. We must leave our outdated notions of right and wrong behind as a child leaves behind childhood toys. “Grow up,” they say, “and if you can’t grow up then leave things to the adults!”
Have we heard something like this before? The words may be different but the trumpet call of the enemy attack is unmistakable. Flee, we are told, and go hide in your little churches and leave the rest of us alone while we get real work done.
Despairing and hopeless we face the attacks of the enemy, never knowing if we shall ever again see the day when God and His word are honored as they once were. Fight we must, but perhaps we think the battle is surely lost. But then, we ask, are we the only ones defending the foundations of truth? Do we have the strength on our own to stand against the enemy? But then we recall the words of verse 1, “In the LORD put I my trust.”
There is no need to fear, little child! The great God of heaven and of earth is pleased to defend the foundations which he alone laid without any counsel from us. And so David takes up this theme beginning in verse 4:
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. Psa 11:4
God is still in “his holy temple” in heaven, sitting in righteous judgment over men. What comfort this thought should bring to God’s children. It comforted David in the midst of being tempted to mistrust God. “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Prov. 15:3. He sees the inner character of men and is able to dispense judgment perfectly in all places at all times. So when the foundations of truth are attacked we should all be willing with David to put our trust in the Lord Jehovah.
There will be trials in the lives of God’s people and David keeps a balanced view as he concludes this psalm. The Lord himself gave us comfort for our trials. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.” Psa 11:5-6
But while the righteous are tried and refined like silver, the wicked are hated. They will get justice from the hand of the Almighty Judge of the Universe. God himself shall stand in defense of the foundations of truth when the enemy attacks. Should we fear lest the foundations be destroyed? The wicked that attack truth and wait to ambush the upright in heart shall get perfect justice for their wicked deeds. Have no fear little child for God is in his holy temple upon his heavenly throne!
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Psa 11:7
Finally, David re-emphasizes why he has found the Lord to be so trustworthy. It is an essential part of God’s nature to defend what he loves. To leave the righteous without defense would be to deny himself and that cannot be! God, who beholds the evil and the good, sees in us not only the image in which we are created (Gen 1:26) but the image of His dear son which we will be conformed to (Rom 8:29). God loves those whom he gave to Christ and nothing can separate them from that love which Christ has for his children (Rom 8:35).
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Trust in the Lord! He has reigned, He doth still reign, and He will yet reign forever upon His heavenly throne. Shall the wicked triumph in their designs? Nay, little child, but God shall mete out judgment upon them which is their due for evil deeds.
Psalm 11 should comfort us in troubled days. Does the enemy whisper to us to flee the field and hide in our chambers? There is no reason for despair, for the Captain of our Salvation rides before us, whose judgment is just and whose mercy is sweet to the sin-sick soul. Fresh courage, my brothers, because, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psa 46:7.
Published: 2011-01-16 by MW