Psalm 11

In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
The Lord is in His temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them.
The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.

I read this Psalm several times this morning.

In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.
My own mountain refuge is not where I am to flee, the mountain of God is where I go.

For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.
These are perilous times we live in. Christians are under attack by the governments and societies of this world. They really are shooting at us

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
They are attacking our faith, our morals, our children, our rights, our ability to speak the truth. What are we to do?

The Lord is in His temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them.
We must remember that the Lord is on His throne, high above all this, watching over everything.

The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
He is watching over us, and one day He will bring judgment on the wicked. That is the future that they will face.

For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.
This is our promise; not the judgment of those who attack us, but justice. And best of all, the very Presence of God.

That is where I must run when I am in trouble, when the enemy is after me. I do not depend on my own strength or find my own safety. I flee to the temple, to the throne, to the Presence of God.

Rebecca A Givens, 4/19/09