“When the
Foundations Crumble”
July 5, 2020
Scripture
Reading: Psalm 11:1-7, NIV
For the director of music. Of David.
1 In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
Introduction: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
(Ps. 11:3). You can do nothing out of fear,
you can flee, or you can put your
confidence, your trust in the Lord and fight the good fight of faith! This Psalm expresses unshakeable
confidence in God in the face of danger. The word “foundations” occurs only
here and is a metaphor for the order of society. The order that has been
established by God is in danger of being replaced by human autonomy and what
results from it, anarchy. And the wicked are intent on driving out the godly,
ridding themselves of “the upright in heart” (11:2b). But the Psalmist will “trust” in the Lord even in the face
of serious dangers and even when his friends and advisers council him to do
otherwise. He will not be moved!
What can the righteous do?
1. Choose
faith in the Lord over flight (11:1-3)
The Danger Is Real
(1) Slander. Their
tongues are bent like “bows;” their words are like
“arrows against the
strings” (11:2a).
(2) Deception. They “shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart” (11:2b).
(3) Destruction. The “foundations are being destroyed” (11:3).
2. The
reason for our confidence in the Lord (11:4-7)
(1) God is still on his throne
(11:4a)!
(2) God is aware of what is happening (11:4b-5a).
“Nothing
in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid
bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13
(3) God will judge each one appropriately
(11:5-7). The “righteous” will be refined
but the “wicked” will be ruined. God’s
patience with the presence of evil is an expression of his grace, permitting
people to repent (see 2 Pet. 3:7-10).
When the
Foundations Are Crumbling (Practical Helps)
1. Grow your
faith by growing your relationship with God.
2. Filter
your intake of news and advice.
3. Live your
life in Christ – through your words and actions.
No comments:
Post a Comment