The news can be distressing. Floods, fires, earthquakes, terrorists, demented people killing young girls, war, gasoline prices and economic problems assail us. Add to this the deliberate undermining of moral values and the growing contempt society has for Christians and the world can be a pretty gloomy place. As one person said, “It is enough to make you want to run away and find some refuge from it all.”
Psalm 11 is David's response to a doom and gloom message that someone brought to him.
I've already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say, "Run to the mountains; the evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every heart open to God. The bottom's dropped out of the country; good people don't have a chance"? Psalms 11:1-3 (The Message Bible)
David asks, “Why should I flee like a helpless bird, when I can put my trust in God? Why run to the mountains when I have taken refuge in the Lord?”
There were times David did retreat, for example, when his life was threatened by Absalom, but he kept his trust in and focus on God. He did not go to pieces with fear and worry. The first thing David does is to affirm that God is his trust and refuge, in response to the question, "If the foundations of life are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" The rest of Psalm 11 is David's answer to that question.
The Believer (the righteous) can remember that the Lord (Yahweh) is still on His throne. (Psalm 11:4) He is still holy and He is still in control.
The Believer (the righteous) can rest assured that nothing escapes God sight (Psalm 11:5). He sees and takes note. He not only sees what each person does, but what is in their hearts. He knows what their character is like.
Know that tests come to everyone in this life. (Psalm 11:4b-5) God tests the righteous and the wicked. At the end of the parable of the persistent widow(Luke 18:1-7), Jesus asked the question, Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8) Trials will come. Our faith will be tested. As we get closer to the last days, times will be more perilous, but the response of God's children is to be one of faith in Him and faithful service to Him. We are not surrender to our fears.
Know that a time of judgment is coming for the wicked. (Psalm 11:6) As the great preacher R. G. Lee used to preach, there will be a "Payday Someday." The wages of sin are certain. Just because they do not come immediately, doesn't mean that sin has been ignored or that God is impotent to act. But why not judge sin now? Why not sooner than later? Because God is giving everyone a chance to hear the gospel and to repent. God is a God of mercy, as well as righteousness and judgment.
Understand that this world is not final. (Psalm 11:6-7) There is life after death in one of two places. Where one spends eternity is based upon one’s response to God and His grace.
The righteous "will see God's face" and experience His love and presence for all eternity (Psalm 11:7) The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 17:15, But I will see Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence. (HCSB) And Job said, But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. Job 19:25-26 (HCSB)
The wicked will spend eternity separated from God for all eternity in a place of torment because of their sins and rejecting God's mercy and grace. The New Testament describes this place of existence as a place of burning coals and sulfur. In Revelation 21:8 we read, “But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
(HCSB)
We can attempt, in some form or fashion, to escape the trouble around us or we can trust God and take refuge in Him. God does not provide us with an easy escapism from reality. He does provide inner security, peace, strength and hope for those who trust Him. To trust God is not to just believe He exists or to believe some teaching about God, it is to enter into a personal relationship of trust and intimacy. The person who knows God in a personal way, He clothes with righteousness (purity) so that that individual is acceptable to God and will live with Him for eternity.
If the upright will see God's face (Ps 11:7), the question is how can we be "upright"? What makes us upright?
Religion offers one answer-- do something to earn spiritual favor with God. That might be by living according to some moral code, or making sure that your good deeds out weigh you bad ones, or belonging to a certain group, etc. The list goes on and on.
God’s answer is different. It is different because He is perfectly righteous and loves righteousness, but none of us are righteous. Each and everyone of us has sinned. Some more, some less, but we are all flawed by sin. Job said, I will see my God, because I know my Redeemer. You and I need a redeemer. Someone, not flawed by sin who can set us free from sin’s penalty and power. God provided that Redeemer for us. He sent His Son, Jesus, into this world to be our Redeemer. He lived a perfect life then allowed Himself to be crucified, like a common criminal. He took our penalty. He came back alive again, proving He was who He said He was. Those who are willing to admit their sins and turn from them to God, and to put their trust in the Living Christ to redeem them from sin and to become their master receive a new life. God becomes their Father. They receive the promise of strength, peace, meaning and hope in this life and assurance of life with God for eternity.
Where is your trust? What is your refuge?
No comments:
Post a Comment