WHEN EVERYTHING COMES APART

(Psalm 11)

...There are times when it seems that _evil__ triumphs, and even receives the support of the government

    while _good_ behavior is discouraged. What are God’s people supposed to do during such times?

...David wrote this Psalm, which is a Psalm of _trust__, unpacking this difficult problem as he faced such

    an ordeal.  Faced with the temptation to run away when the foundations were being destroyed, David held fast to his __faith___ in the Lord.

...David pictures for us what the man looks and acts like who has taken refuge in the Lord. Psalm 11 is “faith’s

    __response__ to fear’s counsel.”

THREE DIRECTIONS THAT YOU TOO MUST LOOK

WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE COMING APART.

I.     DAVID LOOKS  _OUT__  AT HIS ENEMIES AND KNOWS HIS TROUBLE IS GREAT. (vv 1-3)

            A. David begins this song with a statement of _trust__. “...in the Lord I take refuge.”

            B. Yet his well-meaning friends advised him to _run__ to the hills. “Your security is in flight.”

                        1. He was in desperate trouble: the enemies were ready to __harm_ him from the shadows.

                        2. This could refer to real weapons or to _slander__.

            C. David’s advisors asked the classic question: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

                        1. The foundations refer to the __law__ and order of society based upon the Lord’s rule.

                        2. This is when evil triumphs over righteousness.

                        3. These timid friends see the situation as _hopeless_. “What can the righteous do?”

                        4. Spurgeon: “When Satan cannot tempt us with pride, he resorts to _distrust_.”

                        5. An example of this: I Samuel 22.  A very dark moment!

II.    DAVID RESPONDS BY LOOKING  __UPWARD___  AND SEES THE LORD AS SOVEREIGN

        SITTING UPON HIS THRONE.  (vv 4-6)

            A. When faced with threatening danger, look up and find your _confidence_ in the Lord.

                        1. He is in His holy temple. (v 4)

                        2. He is __on___ His heavenly throne.

            B. This convinces David of several things: (vv 5-6)

                        1. God observes _all__ that people do.

                            ...He is all-knowing. What ever happens to you, is utterly known by God.

                        2. God __examines___ the upright. (v 5)

                            ...The righteous are inspected and meet with His approval.

                        3. God knows the wicked and _prepares__ His judgment for them. (v 5b-6)

                            ...David is thinking of God’s judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen 19)

                            ...He reminds himself that God’s judgments do _come__, though delayed. When it comes

                               it is utterly complete. (ex: the flood)

III.   DAVID LOOKS  _AHEAD__  TO THE DAY WHEN GOD WILL GATHER HIS PEOPLE

         TO HIMSELF. (v 7)

            A. God loves justice and in the end _justice___ will prevail. The day when all wrongs will be

                  righted and all wrongs judged.

            B. This coming day will include the seeing of God’s _face__.

                        1. This is what Moses asked for but was denied. (Exodus 33:22-23)

                        2. Yet, this is what the upright will see. We will see the face of our Lord. O how wonderful

                             to be able to look upon His face. (I John 3:2)  The best is yet to come!

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

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