THE SONG OF THE STEADFAST Faith in the Lord’s Righteousness Meditations in the Psalms (Psalm 11)
The Psalms of David are rich with experimental knowledge, he pinned this one after the slaughter of Goliath while serving in the courts of Saul and under his persecution. Reading verses 1-3 you’ll find in them David describes his temptation, fear. Fear always questions, v.3, “If the foundations fall?” The foundations of law and justice were destroyed under the reign of Saul; David was a victim of it. History is written with the injustice of tyrants, and Christians the victims: Rome lit her skies with the fires of the burning bodies of the saints. When fear has a question, faith has an answer. Fear will cause distrust and questions “What if the foundations fall? and then he cries “Flee as a bird to your mountain?” Faith answers, “How say ye to my soul flee?” I will not, “In the Lord I put my trust.” Fear cries, “Enemy!” Faith cries, “God is greater than my enemy!” Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” I John 4:4. In verses 4-7 we see the arguments by which he encouraged himself. The one who by divine faith has laid hold of Jehovah has laid hold of Him who rules supremely (v.4): “Why should the heathen say, ‘so where is their God?’” “But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” (Ps.152:2-8:79:10) (read of Nebuchadnezzar and the three Hebrew children). Faith lays hold on Him who perfectly beholds all; Jehovah Jesus is in His holy temple, He’s above all, and sees all; His blood pleads for us as He intercedes for us; what plots shall men and devils devise that He will not discover (Ps.2)? “His eyelids test the sons of men.” The Lord is He who protects providentially: the flood waters work for Noah, while accomplishing God’s judgment on the Antediluvians; the ten plagues work for Israel, while at the same time work against Egypt. God’s providence is universal, He rules over nature: “Now a wind went out from the Lord, and it brought quail from the sea and left them fluttering near the camp …” (Num.11:31`): (read of Elijah and the raven I Kings 17). He rules over nations: “And the Lord your God will drive out those nations…” (Deut.7:22 & Ex.34:24). He rules over all events: “and God sent me before you to preserve posterity for you in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Gen.50:20). He rules over devils: “so the demons begged Him, saying, if You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine”, (read of Job). He rules over the animal world: “My God sent His angel and shut the lion’s mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; … (Dan.6:22). God is against those who are against His people, “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright (v7). “If you stood alone, it would be presumption to hope. Because you are not alone, it is offence to tremble.” Great is Your faithfulness Oh God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not: as Thou hast been Thou forever will be. ~~Terry Worthan, 1938-2022
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