Psalm 11

Have you ever been under attack? Have you been tempted to retreat?

Psalm 11 (NIV) A psalm of David. For the director of music.	Having Confidence When in a Crisis
¹In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. ²For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. ³When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”	1. The Call to Retreat David’s advisors told him to flee, run away. To stand your ground is to be a target. He can’t protect himself because he is being shot at from the shadows. He can’t see attackers. When foundations are being destroyed what can the righteous do? We can do what David did, stand firm, face the attack and take refuge in God.
⁴The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. ⁵The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. ⁶On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.	2. The Reasons for Confidence 1. God is in the temple in Jerusalem. In other words, God is always with his people. 2. God is in heaven, transcendent over all. a. The Lord allows troubles to purify his people. To make us strong. (James 1:2-4) But, b. God exterminates the evil. For believers a crisis brings testing and confidence. For unbelievers a crisis brings disaster.
⁷For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.	3. Believers Trust in God We look at ourselves and see weakness, fear and try to build up our confidence. But confidence is rooted in God and his righteousness not us.

Psalm 11 (NIV)

A psalm of David. For the director of music.

Having Confidence When in a Crisis

¹In the Lord I take refuge.
    How then can you say to me:
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain.
²For look, the wicked bend their bows;
    they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
    at the upright in heart.
³When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

1. The Call to Retreat

David’s advisors told him to flee, run away. To stand your ground is to be a target. He can’t protect himself because he is being shot at from the shadows. He can’t see attackers.

When foundations are being destroyed what can the righteous do? We can do what David did, stand firm, face the attack and take refuge in God.

⁴The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
    his eyes examine them.
⁵The Lord examines the righteous,
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
    he hates with a passion.
⁶On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulfur;
    a scorching wind will be their lot.

2. The Reasons for Confidence

1. God is in the temple in Jerusalem. In other words, God is always with his people.

2. God is in heaven, transcendent over all.

a. The Lord allows troubles to purify his people. To make us strong. (James 1:2-4) But,

b. God exterminates the evil. For believers a crisis brings testing and confidence. For unbelievers a crisis brings disaster.

⁷For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.

3. Believers Trust in God

We look at ourselves and see weakness, fear and try to build up our confidence. But confidence is rooted in God and his righteousness not us.

It seems like wherever we look, science, economics, politics, history, art, music, literature, criminal justice, education, publishing, T.V., theater, psychology, Christians are under attack, being shot at from the shadows. But we are to stand firm. Not retreat, but capture the world for the glory of God. Make disciples of all nations, filling the earth with godly people.

Acts 17:6 “These men have turned the world upside down …”

By Richard Loper

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