Being In the Lord

Psalm 11: 1-7

A PRESBYTERIAN PSALTER - by Pastor Max A Forsythe

Derek Kidner describes this Psalm as being concerned with panic and stability. In a time of crisis David has written this psalm. The psalm "opens with a spirited retort to some demoralizing advice, and goes on to show what is the real scale and pattern of events, and what is to be more prized than safety." How appropriate for this Lord's Day. Was it just last week that our most recent issue of Table Talk published a scary millennial assessment of the coming Y2K "crisis"? That is obviously a worst case scenario. Remember the computer transition at the coming of the year 2,000 should not be anything more than running over a series of speed bumps in a parking lot! But, if enough of this millennial tripe is published, we may very well talk ourselves into a major panic - leading to a crisis! I have said this so many times in the last year, but let me say it again. If you are well prepared for a week's blizzard, ice storm or any event that puts your power down where you have to camp out for a few days, that should be sufficient. You should already have had three to four weeks of canned goods on hand plus a few containers to keep drinking water in. And how many of you have a kerosene burner always on hand for emergency heat? You may have also put a small percentage of your savings into silver coins and kept a small amount of cash on hand in a safe place. If so, you are ready, there is no need to panic!

Now to a more important issue for which I steal a phrase from Shakespeare's Henry V. If your hearts are in the trim, you are ready for what may come today and tomorrow. Just this week, I sent some encouragement to a slightly discouraged pastor who had more than he felt he could accomplish. I gave him my short list of how far behind I am in all of my responsibilities and then paraphrased middle verses of our Psalm in an old German Proverb "Gott is im Himmel, and alle ist richtig in den welt." God is in His heaven and all is right with the world. If we believe that thirty-second sound bite, then our minds are indeed in the trim and we - like David may take encouragement.

In the time remaining, let us look to King David whose heart and mind is shared in the Heart Songs of Holy Scripture. We may learn today from Psalm Eleven. This psalm may be divided into two parts. The first three verses explore the faintings of the heart in the face of adversity. The last four verses explore the doctrine of God's sovereignty which can encourage our intellect to stand fast in the Lord's own strength. The commentators feel that this psalm may be set in Saul's court where David's ministry and service to the King of Israel are setting Saul's teeth on edge. As David becomes increasingly less popular with the King, his friends and adversaries might speak with a common voice of warning. "Flee for your life and safety". Look carefully at David's answer in verse one: "In the Lord I put my trust." He says this in a court of intrigue where even his very life is in danger. David realizes that there is little He can do as Saul and his kind undermine the rule and authority of God.

David even asks: "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Remember, David does not live in our century! Even back then, what we have seen and experienced in America today was common. God and His word were dishonored and ignored! David's life is at risk precisely because he is not participating in that dishonor. Eventually, things would get too hot even for David's confidence.

Later, he would flee for his life. Even King David eventually doubted his brave words here which indicate a conviction that God could care for him in extreme adversity. But here, within God's providence his heart was encouraged and he felt secure because he meditated upon the fact of God's complete sovereignty. Later when Saul's spear whisked by his ear and pierced the wall behind him, his emotions would overwhelm his confidence.

And is this not our life experience as well. In theory we know that God is in control, we believe it, we recite it, but when the bullets begin to fly and our world comes apart, do we really live it? You well know that I could be wrong about the new year, after all the office of prophecy is no longer a gift practiced in Christ's Church. You may have canned goods that you have to eat? You may have a little silver to lay away for another crisis? Our society, which has not our confidence in heaven - it may well come apart. I am certain that our government and the military are preparing for the worst. That is what they are paid to do.

But all the plans carefully laid, all the soldiers in the world will not be enough if the Lord decides that the countries of the world are ripe for judgment! And too the worldly the very worst scenario for 2000 is the great coming Day of the Lord! If that is the worst - then come quickly Lord Jesus - Come Quickly!

Of course, there are any number of scenarios that could happen short of that glorious expectation! I have a book at home which is very complete on the subject and there are about seven variables which are related to the weather - food and energy. The authors however missed the possibility of a lemming like rush to destruction. If conflict comes and Christians are "raptured" [excuse me] martyred into the next life - what is the worry?

Let us consider carefully David's intellectual basis here. He well notes that the Lord is in His temple and on His heavenly throne. He knows that God observes mankind and that His eye is upon each and every person. He also knows that God makes a distinction between the wicked and the righteous. David well knows the reality of the wicked, in battle he has felt the close contempt and the devious pitfalls of hand to hand combat.

David does not love the enemies of God who inhabit Saul's court, yet he chooses to remain in their midst that he might serve the purpose of his God. The confidence that strengthens him is found in the last verse: "For the Lord is righteous, he loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright." Certainly, we may apply this to the day of judgment. But, we may also apply it to Saul's court. You see, by David's regular presence Saul's own son Jonathan came to love David and very probably in that love learned to love David's God. Jonathan very probably saw God's face through David. In time, Jonathan helps David to escape the wrath of his father Saul. Sometimes God uses us in strange places and in strange ways just as He kept David for a time in Saul's court. In the last few weeks there has been an ongoing conservative debate over having lost the cultural war and perhaps circling the wagons in remote places while waiting for better times. This defeatism is not any of our concern - we have a ministry still in the midst of the world. Once I was trying to counsel a very disturbed young man. Whenever I visited him I realized that I wasn't helping him. But, I kept going back for reasons I didn't understand. Finally at my last visit I learned that God's purpose was for me to minister to the young man's father. Once that was done I was released from my obligation.

Every year I wonder what good can be accomplished by my going back to work in the public school. My, how I would dearly like to fly away! Yet each year, I see one or two students touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. So, God keeps me in Satan's court for that purpose. Where is the Lord keeping you? Do you sometimes wonder what you can accomplish like David does in verse three? Remember, the instruction of verses four to six. God is sovereign, His eye is upon you and He will make a distinction between your work and the work of the wicked. And He will strengthen your heart, your head and your hands to accomplish His sovereign will. May you grow in confidence as you live in the midst of His enemies. Remember, you are there in order that others might see Him through you! Amen.

	Resources Used:
Archer, Gleason L.	Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties.
Kidner, Derek.	Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms.
Lewis, C.S.	Reflections on the Psalms.
Spurgeon, C.H.	The Treasury of David.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. International Bible Society (1973, 1978, 1984)
011b	12 August 90 & 21 March 99

Reformation for Today ------ A Presbyterian Psalter