What Can We Do? Psalms 11:1-7 02/25/2018

1 For the director of music. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge 1 For the director of music. Of David. 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. (Psalm 11:1-2, NIV)

3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do 3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3, NIV)

4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. 5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. (Psalm 11:4-5)

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; upright men will see his face. (Psalm 11:6-7, NIV)

What Can We Do? Verse three is a question, not a concession. Everyone goes through the cycle of problems.

Here we see David’s struggle with, and triumph over a strong temptation to distrust God, and to try to take matters into his own hands in a time of danger. Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you no longer trusted God to take care of you?

What Can We Do? Have you seen your enemies with their bows bent and arrows ready to strike your heart? Have you ever felt that the very foundations of your life were crumbling beneath your feet? How will we respond?

Don’t Run Away. 1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. (Psalm 11:1) David said, “In the Lord I take refuge.” David wasn’t going to flee to some mountain refuge, but his refuge was God!

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph 6:13, NIV)

What Can We Do? This verse tells us that we can stand. When we pray and engage God on our side, what can be the cause of our flight? We can pray, so why run?

It would not be much witness of our faith to pray and then run away. How do we keep from running?

Trust in the Lord. Trust: It means to believe. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov 3:5-6, NIV)

What Can We Do? 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. (Psalm 11:4, NIV) That means He hasn’t given up on us. He hasn’t been defeated. 22 ...Without shedding of blood (there) is no remission. (Heb. 9:22).

He sees what is going on. 4 He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. (Psalm 11:4, NIV) 21 For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. (Prov 5:21, NIV)

God ‘examines’ and ‘loves’ the righteous (vv. 5;7). At times, God allows trials to come into our life to build our faith and trust in Him. Why, because He loves us! He will bring judgment upon the wicked (vv. 5-6).

5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. (Psalm 11:5-6) Remember, God knows what is going on, and He will deal with them, in His time.

What can the righteous do? Don’t run away, stand fast. Don’t try to take matters in our own hands. Trust in the Lord, He loves you.

What can the unrighteous do? Repent and turn to Him. He will receive you. He will turn no one away.

What Can We Do? Psalms 11:1-7 02/25/2018