Day 307: What can the righteous do? – Psalm 11

(For the director of music. Of David) 1-2 In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 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. 5-6 The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulphur; a scorching wind will be their lot. 7 For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. Psalm 11 New International Version.

Are there times when the News Headlines drive you to despair and you feel society is lost? That may be one of the truths vs 3 of this Psalm implies when it speaks of the ‘foundations being destroyed’. We live in days when, as vs 1-2 say, the wicked are bending their bows and firing arrows from their murky darkness at those who have upright hearts. In the case of David, it seems that the plots of the wicked had become life threatening. What were his friends urging him to do, and why was he rejecting their advice? (vs 1-2)

They suggested flight – David preferred faith. How can I run away, he says, when I've put my trust in God? There are times in life when God fearing people need to reject the advice and defeatist attitude of well meaning friends. What was David's conviction about God in vs 4?

He saw God as exalted above the people of the world, even with their bows and arrows. Is this not true also of the Lord Jesus Christ? The apostle Paul says: “Christ was raised from the dead and is now seated in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else - not only in this world but also the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ.” (Ephesians 1:20-22) We must keep that in mind as we see many foundations crumbling in society. What does David say the ultimate outcome will be? (vs 5-6)

Perhaps he had in mind the picture of Sodom and Gomorrah where society had also degenerated and the wicked brazenly attacked the righteous. David was convinced that God was well aware of what was going on in the world and hates the violence that the wicked do. What was the promise David clung to in vs 7?

Those who side with righteousness will see the face of their God who loves justice. They may see it in judgements he brings even in this life upon evildoers. They will certainly see it when Jesus Christ returns.

But the question his friends asked was: “What can the righteous do when the foundations are being destroyed?” What should we do when evil people are perverting the world and preparing arrows for the righteous? Perhaps the answer can be found in the place where such arrows are mentioned in the New Testament. The apostle Paul wrote:

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then, after the battle, you will still be standing firm! Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17 (Paraphrased)

We mustn't flee as the enemy takes aim at us – we must stand firm in our faith in God and in His mighty power. He has clothed us with salvation in Christ – we shall see His face!