Psalm 11
Confidence relies on God when storms of trouble threaten.
The terribleness of final judgment is revealed. May perfect shelter be our
happy lot!
1. "In the Lord I put my trust; how can you say to my
soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?"
Happy the soul which calmly rests on God! He is a rock so
firmly based and so exceeding high, that swelling billows dash in vain, and
raging storms harmlessly beat. Feet planted on it are as safe as God is
safe. His power is omnipotence. Who can upset it? His love can never change.
His wisdom knows no bounds. His truth can never fail. Let us then trust Him,
at all times, in all places, under all trials. Let us trust Him with our
souls and bodies, for time and for eternity. Let us trust Him with all our
matters and with all our friends. Safe in His arms we may defy all foes.
But they will taunt with sneering malice. They will
exclaim, Make haste to flee. There is no safety but in flight. As the
frightened bird seeks refuge in the high and distant hills, so fly with
rapid wing. To tarry is destruction. Tarry not.
2. "For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set
their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in
heart."
Peril may be near. The wicked hate and plot—their bow is
strong; their arrows ready; their eyes are watchful. If given the
opportunity, their venomed shafts will inflict deadly wounds. Thus Jesus
walked amid incessant snares. At every turn some ambush was concealed. What
crafty questions spread entangling nets! So too it is each day with us. The
enemy is ever near. Let us look up. Let our daily cry be heard, "In the Lord
I put my trust."
3. "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the
righteous do?"
The foundations of our trust are firm, and never can be
moved. We have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. What is the strong
foundation of our trust? It is Christ. It is His glorious person, His deity
and manhood indissolubly joined, His everlasting love, His finished work,
His precious blood, His expiating death, His all-atoning cross, His
resurrection-might, His rule at the right hand, His never-ceasing
intercession, His well-ordered providence, His coming kingdom, His eternal
reign. How blessed, how encouraging, are these truths! Not one can be
opposed, not one can disappoint. We may rest all our weight on them. They
cannot sink. If any flaw could be discerned, if any weak part showed
insecurity, we might indeed despond. But building on this solid base, we may
indeed reject all taunts. We have a strong city. God has appointed Salvation
for walls and bulwarks.
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."
Ours is no visionary trust. Of old our God was present in
the sanctuary. True worshipers might there approach and find that He drew
near to them. Christ is our mercy-seat. In Him we meet our God; in Him our
God meets us. What then shall be our fear?
But more; our God sits high enthroned in heaven. He rules
arrayed in omnipotent power. How safe are those who are protected by His
arm! His eye sees every outward act and searches every inward thought. His
people never are unseen. No darkness can conceal His foes. We may then
confidently trust.
5. "The Lord tries the righteous; but the wicked, and
him who loves violence, His soul hates."
Many are indeed our trials, but all are ordered for our
good. Thus faith is tested; leaks in the vessel are discovered; sincerity is
discerned; weak parts are strengthened; the walk becomes more close, more
vigilant, and more strict. These probings are among our blessings. "Blessed
is the man that endures trial, for when he is tried he shall receive the
crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." But all
iniquity is hateful in His sight. His holy nature abhors sin.
6. "Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire, and
brimstone, and a horrible tempest; this shall be the portion of their cup."
They cannot escape just wrath. Their frightful doom is
here portrayed. Mercy warns of this destruction, that men forewarned may
flee to Christ. Images of agony are here combined. What Sodom and her plains
foreshowed is coming reality. A fiery deluge overwhelms its victim. A
flaming lake engulfs. There is a cup which they must drink. The cup is hot
to overflowing with all extremity and intensity of torment. Wrath has not
yet gone forth. Let all who hear fly speedily to Christ.
7. "For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; His
countenance beholds the upright."
Righteousness will execute what righteousness denounces.
Justice maintains forever that rebels are thus punished. But saving smiles
beam sweetly over the redeemed flock. God now beholds them in all love. They
soon shall see Him in all glory. Holy Spirit! keep us ever in the light of
His countenance.