Psalm 11: Confidence When Foundations Are Crumbling

1  In the Lord I take refuge;
       how can you say to my soul,
“Flee like a bird to your mountain,
2     for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in 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,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves 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.
 
Meditation
Worship confesses confidence in our King when the world around is crumbling. Persecutions and problems come to people holding fast to faith in the Lord, power to persevere prevail through relentless faith in God and His promises (2 Timothy 3:10-15).
 
King David rejoices when his world is in ruin, celebrating refuge in the Lord (1). In spite of struggles and suffering, David steadfastly focuses on God- His power and His promises. When foundations are fractured or falling apart, the righteous focus faith on our faithful God (2-3).
 
The Lord is in His temple, on His throne in heaven, yet His eyes see all the children of humanity- even you (4). The test of the Lord (5) is to turn our eyes of faith from our trouble to Him, seeing above anxieties to focus on His sovereign rule and reign.
 
The Lord hates wickedness and it will come to an end. The imagery of sulfur and scorching wind falling like judgement on Sodom is a prayer to give God’s people peace (6), trusting the wicked will find their end when the judgement of God begins. The righteous are secure in God’s sovereign love and those who belong to Him by faith will one day see the Father’s face (7).
 
Concrete confidence in God’s covenant faithfulness focuses on God when foundations are cracking and the world is fracturing. Jesus defeated death, ascended to Heaven, is seated on the throne, and He is making all things new! Faith in King Jesus fuels worship marked with confidence in Him.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from this Psalm of confidence?
 
-Why is it difficult to have concrete confidence in the Lord when the world is crumbling around us and it appears wickedness is winning?
 
-How much of a difference does it make to know Jesus has defeated the one who causes wickedness, is working all things for His glory, making all things new?
 
Key Verse
5     The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.