When things get tough, where do we place our hope and confidence. Its easy to be swept away by emotions or pay heed to what Satan can whisper in our hearts. However from psalms 11, David has his eyes focused on someone. He refutes the call to flee, by providing God as his focus and confidence.
To open the psalm, he questions why he’s asked to flee in times of trouble, like a bird to a mountain. In his mind, that is the last thing he wants to do. It is true, as stated in verse two, the christian will face difficulties and opposition in day to day life. Maybe work is a challenge due to trying colleagues, or married life proves difficult. Or perhaps the struggle could be with health, someone struggling with illnesses or maybe received a sad diagnosis, leading them to be tempted to lose hope, growing very weak in faith.
In these times, David does not say that he has a contingency plan or rather that he knows when the trouble will pass by. Instead he states that he can weather the stormy period, because God is his refuge.(vs1)
He comforts himself with the knowledge that God is in control in heaven, seated upon his throne. The throne of God denotes a place of power and authority. He sits and rules with absolute sway. His throne is exalted (Isaiah 6:1). It’s a place of Holiness (Isaiah 6:3) God’s throne is a place where righteousness and justice reigns (psalm 89:14)
God on his throne inspires hope in David which allows him to call him his refuge.
But not only is God seated, he also sees his people constantly.(vs4) David explains that God is the one who tries and tests his people. The present difficulty is not a result of coincidence but directly from God. The Bible speaks of God disciplining and instructing his children (Proverbs 3:11). At times the disciplining may not be pleasant as explained in Hebrews 12:11. The situation at hand may be hard but David knows it’s from the hand of a God who loves and cares for him.
David is pleased that God has dealings with him because the same is not true for the wicked. God rejects the one who loves violence and indulges in unrighteousness. The one who rebels and ignores all of God’s teachings. They are elsewhere described as chaff or dust(psalm 1:4). Easily blown away in the times of judgement. As Christ has said they build their houses upon sandy foundations.(Matthew 7:26-27). In verse 6 David explains that God will Judge the wicked thoroughly. They will feel his wrath and anger. In Matthew Jesus talks about a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth(Matthew 13:42). This is hell.
The final verse, however, of this psalm is both hopeful and a challenge. He declares God’s righteousness and love for those who are abounding in righteous deeds. It’s those who are upright, that will be able to see and be with God in heaven forever. Yet by nature, we are not righteous. We have all indulged in disobedience and sin. By nature we are the one who should face God’s wrath and Justice for breaking his law and being people who love violence.
Yet here is the Gospel, Jesus who was seated at the right hand of God, came down from heaven taking on human flesh. Instead of his divine crown of glory, he wore a crown of thorns and allowed acts of violence to be carried out on him. In a garden he prayed that the cup of God’s wrath would be taken away from him. Yet he submitted to God’s will. He lived a perfect life of righteousness and yet was crucified for our sins. He takes his righteousness and gives it to those who hope and believe in his death and eventual resurrection. Jesus has become our refuge, the One whose throne is forever and ever(Psalm 45:6). The call is for us to take refuge in Him, to live lives which are upright by the power of his Spirit and grace.
No matter what experience we may go through, be it joyful or trying, let’s try by the grace of God, to abide within the sanctuary which is Christ, from whom flows, the true waters of eternal life(revelation 22:1)
-Henry Onwordi