I Will Take Refuge in the Lord
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.
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 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.
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. NIV
- David would not FLEE, v.1:
- David would not FEAR, v.2,
- David would not FRET, v.3
"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?"Faith refuses to panic and focus on His promises, not your fears. Jesus speaks this word to comfort the fears of Jairus. So that Jairus could have something to rejoice and relax through his confusion and pain that flooded his soul with the dead end word, “Thy daughter is dead. Be not afraid, only believe.” Why? Because we have many promises to hope on to. Faith focuses on the promises, and in doing so, is not discouraged. Faith does not deny reality. Faith is not fantasy. Faith can face reality without being discouraged because we hold on to the promises of God. Faith does not get discouraged in the midst of difficult circumstances, because we have a God who has given us promises.
Faith holds on to what WE KNOW when we do not know the way; when we do not know the why; when we do not know the when, or do not know the where. Faith holds on to the promises of God!
David responds to man’s counsel that told him to FLEE, FEAR, and FRET with faith. Here are truths to believe when the foundations are being destroyed:
- God is PRESENT! David knows the LORD pleads for him, v.4: “The LORD is in his holy temple.”
- God RULES! David knows the LORD reigns as heaven’s champion and king, v.4: “the LORD’s throne is in heaven.” God was still in charge, and He had not changed.
- God REFINES! The LORD will perfect and purify me into His image! He proves us to strengthen us and develop our character and faith in Him. Satan tests and tempts us to destroy us. God’s tests bring out our best; Satan’s tests bring out our worst.
- God JUDGES! David knows the LORD is a just judge, v.6:
Then he sees a terrible scorching east wind, well known in the middle east.
The third image is that of a poisonous cup, a picture of drinking the very wrath and judgment of God. Revelation 14:10; 16:19; 18:6.
- God LOOKS! David knows the LORD Looks upon the upright, v.7
Psalm 11:7; For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness: his countenance doth behold the upright.
The pure in heart shall see His face, and maintaining the reality of His presence when the foundations are being destroyed is the inheritance of the upright in heart!
http://www.hbcnyc.org/manuscripts/Psalm-11.html
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