12/11/18 TIMELY PASSAGE
God's word is always timely, apropos.
But sometimes it is frighteningly obvious.
LIKE NOW.
CONSIDER PSALM 11
This is a great time to know this passage.
(with brief "dlg notes" to follow)
Psalms 11:1-7
1 ...In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
dlg notes...
11:1
Great confession of faith, commitment:
In the LORD put I my trust.
Well meaning but errant counsel:
How can you urge me to run from my enemies and run for the hills?
Sometimes the right choice is flight, rather than fight. But for the faint hearted it is always a right time to run.
We must stay attuned to God, rather than men.
11:2
The enemies of God and His people
Are prepared and equipped and hoping to destroy the people of God.
Even now our enemy is taking aim at the church. They lay in wait. We can flee and hide if we choose.
It is the upright, the righteous who are in the sights of the wicked. We are the target of all the enemies of the cross; Humanists, Naturalists, Evolutionists, Materialists, Hedonists, Atheists, Statists, Globalists, Secularists, Liberals, Modernists, Cultists, Religionists, Sinning Christianity.
But keep in mind that those who sought to kill David were those who had enjoyed the calling and anointing of God and the benefits of the Temple. Sometimes our enemies are those who are the closest to us.
11:3
The argument is broader than self preservation. The threat is on the future of the work of God.
If the foundations be destroyed, then what can the righteous do? The appeal is made to David to consider others, consider the future of the kingdom.
11:4
David declared his faith. Not only am I in the sights of my enemies. God is still God, in His holy Temple; on His throne; watching over His children.
God sees all and knows all and God works in all things that have to do with His people.
11:5
God has a predisposition and a commitment to support and empower His people. Contrariwise, God is determined to overthrow the attempted overthrow of the wicked.
We will not fear. God does not fail. God will accomplish His will and He will vindicate His people.
11:6
The outcome for the wicked is settled. They will suffer the wrath of God. Their defeat will not simply be a natural or temporary defeat, but a supernatural and eternal defeat.
God will give to each his due. Not one drop of Divine indignation will be withheld or lost.
11:7
The affinity between God and His people is love, based on a relationship or righteousness. God loved the unsaved enough to provide redemption, but He loves His children enough to protect and exalt them above their enemies.
Regardless of the attitude of our enemies, God loves us. Regardless of the actions of our enemies, God covers us.
We are to fight, not take flight.
We are to attack the gates of hell, not retract from the fray.
We are to run to the battle, not run from it.
