Psalm 11

Sermon notes from Sunday 27 October 2019 am

Psalm 11 – Mr Callum Webster, Christian Institute

Why was this Psalm written?  To whom was it written?  What where the circumstances in which it was written?  King David was living through a prolonged period of hostility in his life.  No where are we given details of his specific troubles or what they involved, nor does it refer directly to him but there is reference to “the upright in heart” and “the righteous”.  Although all of us are sinners by nature and practice, if we are trusting in Christ we are counted as righteous.  Some commentators say this Psalm recollects the trials in David’s life during Absalom’s rebellion.  Others say it refers to the time when the inhabitants of Ziph betrayed David.  Perhaps it was even referring to the relentless persecution by Saul.  In a fit of anger he threw a javelin at David and thereafter he pursued David all the days of his life.  Some lessons are learned in the school of life as God deals with us.  Saul hunted David without justice, mercy and reproof.  David lives a life on the run with his foes in pursuit.  Things became desperate and the foundations of his life are being swept away.  The desperate circumstances seem unstoppable.  His friends plead with him to flee to a place of safety.  David instead steadies himself in focusing his trust in God alone.  God is sovereign, he rules over all things, he must prevail.  It is God who tests the Christian believer.  One day God will punish the wicked.  David is consoled by God.  He cannot be overthrown. 

The conspiring foes – verse 2.  David is being hunted down like an animal by a blood thirsty enemy.  He is being pursued without justice or relief.  The enemy is armed with weapons of destruction.  They are loaded and taking aim at David.  The situation is particularly dangerous.  The enemy forces are hiding (privily), lurking in the shadows.  They are behind the scene, not upfront.  It is a secret ambush approaching covertly under the cover of darkness.  These frightening circumstances must have weighed heavily on him.  We can relate to those situations today.  The opponents of the Christian faith are exalting their influence in the society we live in today.

The crumbling foundations – verse 3.  The foundations where the principles on which David could rely.  They were crucial to the stability of any building.  Though hidden underground the foundations support the entire structure, they hold everything in the building together.  If the foundations of a church were destroyed the whole building would collapse.  We do need to consider certain foundations that God has put in place that can never be destroyed either by hidden sinfulness or Satan himself.  The bible is described as foundations which cannot be supressed.  Satan can seek to cast doubt but we are reminded “forever O Lord thy word is settled in the heavens.” (Psalm 119 verse 89)  Similarly the Christian faith is seen as foundational – 2 Timothy 2 verse 19 “the foundation of our God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knows them that are his.”  The word of God and the salvation of God are foundations that cannot be shaken.  There are other foundations explained in scripture that sin can destroy and twist.  The destruction of these will bring hardship, pain and suffering in this life and in the final judgment in eternity.  Sometimes theologians call those foundations creational ordinances.  They apply to all people throughout history whether they are Christians or not.  They are reflected in the 10 commandments.  If these are destroyed or twisted other features of society will falter as well.  Certain things are given for Christian believers.  The Lord’s Supper is not meant to be observed by everyone, only God’s redeemed people for instance.  Other principles are given in scripture to be observed by all people.  The law of marriage, the sanctity of human life.  All human beings are made in God’s image.  The sanctity of marriage – an institution given to the human race between one man and one woman.  The institution of work.  The Sabbath principle of the Lord’s day of rest.  These are given to all people whether they are believers or not.  Governments and nations can destroy those principles – Psalm 82 tells us that judges “know not, neither will they understand, they walk on in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are out of course.” (verse 5)  Isaiah 49 verses 14 and 15 “And judgment is turned away backward and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street and equity cannot enter.  Yea, truth faileth and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey and the Lord saw it and it displeased him that there was no judgment.”  Saul had violent principles of law and order, he abused his power to oppress one person.  It seemed right would not prevail.  We too today are witnessing the basic foundations being attacked, redefined, undermined in order to open the floodgates of evil gaining momentum in our nation.  The 1967 Abortion Act has resulted in 9 million babies being aborted, 599 were aborted every day on the mainland last year.  The institute of marriage has been attacked for decades by easy divorce, cohabitation.  Twisted and redefined in law to promote homosexuality.  In public sector employment staff are being persecuted to wearing rainbow lanyards in support of homosexuals.  Transgender teaching is becoming prominent in our schools.  There is the promotion of someone being trapped in the wrong gender.  Biblical principles are being seen as extreme.  The very foundations are being destroyed.  Godless laws and politicians gain momentum.  In verse 3 the question is asked “what can the righteous do?”  This is someone at the end of their resources, they have gone beyond the ability to do anything, seems as if they want to give up the fight.  David was being tried as a villain under the government of Saul.  Truth and justice may be denied for a time but they will ultimately prevail.  Creational ordinances cannot be overthrown even if society for a time seeks to do so.

The call to flee.  Against this desperate situation David’s friends were pleading with him to hide.  They felt an attack was imminent.  Circumstances are so harsh - “flee as bird to your mountain.”  The mountain was a place of security.  Humanly speaking David’s circumstances were so desperate, so dangerous, so immediate that there was no prospect of change.  The situation looks set to deteriorate.  His friends reasoned with him.  There is a genuine concern for his life.  That call seems to make sense but they failed to look with the eye of faith.  They did not discern the hand of God at work even in this impossible situation.  Psalm 76 verse 10 states “the wrath of man shall praise thee.”  Acts 4 verse 27 and 28 “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.”  God overrules the plans of the wicked to fulfil his purposes.  It would be sinful for David to follow their advice.  It would be an abandonment of duty.  There are certain situations where Christians are commanded to flee from – sexual immorality, idolatry, covetousness and the love of money.  Joseph in Potiphar’s house is an example.  2 Corinthians 6 verse 14 instructs us “be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”  2 Timothy 3 lists those who make an outward profession of Christianity but inwardly show no change.  In 1 Thessalonians 5 we are warned to stay away from things that give an appearance of evil.  Scripture also talks about “the wicked flee when no man pursueth but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28 verse 1)  It is faithless advice given here – to abandon a righteous stand because of opposition and hostility.  We are not to flee from society or to have an easy life.  Creational foundations and biblical ordinances are under attack here in Northern Ireland.  One would expect Christian believers to accept the bible as the final authority, would be clear in our speaking out.  People are urging us to flee.  Others say it might detract from gospel preaching to stand out.  The Lord calls all men to repentance and faith.  We cannot ignore bible doctrine in an evil society.  In every age there are certain truths under more attack that other ages.  We cannot be selective in our discipleship.  The Lord wants us to stand up.  Matthew 5 verse 19 “whosoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.”  In Matthew 7 we read these harrowing words “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquity.”  We should not duck our responsibility in speaking against the issues of today.  Even Peter, one of the Lord’s disciples begged the Lord not to go the way of the cross (Matthew 16 verse 22).

The constant faithfulness of God.  David would not succumb.  He considered the faithfulness of God – “in the Lord put I my trust” (verse 1) and “The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven” (verse 4).  Although all these things were happening around him he was meditating on the faithfulness of God.  Human societies may crumble but the heavenly throne cannot be shaken.  The Lord will never leave nor forsake him.  His answer was to turn again to God.  Remember it was only one stone that killed Goliath and if it took that one stone then God could deliver him from Saul.  His confidence is grounded in the solid purpose, all powerful, all knowing God.  God is present with true believers.  The God in whom David trusted is sitting on the throne of the universe today working out his purposes in the nations today.  He will strengthen us in the times of trial.

The certain future of man – verse 4 assures us that God’s “eyes behold; his eyelids try the children of men.”  God is watching all men and women, both good and evil.  David’s enemies may have been arming their bows in the shadows but God has already seen them.  God knows all our characters, our secret moves.  He knows our desires and motives.  God knows that person through their heart.  Today many well meaning Christian believers believe that God is only interested in the gospel in a narrow way, the profession of our mouths but Psalm 11 shows God is interested in our thoughts, deeds and living out our lives as well.  Christian believers are not promised an easy ride through this life.  God sends trials. He will not punish us beyond his reach.  He will not forsake us.  He chastens us as his people and will in due time deliver us. As we see things coming to pass in our nation God has allowed those things to be, to test our faithfulness.  God refines us with fire.  None may escape.  It is the channel of blessing.  “Affliction brings out graces that cannot be seen in prosperity” Robert Murray McCheyne.  Psalm 11 assures us of a certain future - verses 5 and 6.  God’s final punishment of the wicked is guaranteed.  There is a day of accounting coming.  God will finally punish one day.  David was faced with conspiring foes, crumbling foundations, friends calling him to flee but he considered the faithfulness of God.  There was judgment ahead.  He strengthened himself in this thought, he was steadfast in those circumstances.  We are faced with challenges in our personal lives and in our church lives.  Some well meaning Christians are calling the church to flee from issues that offend the culture.  God’s word is constant and sure.  We are called to contend earnestly for the faith.  Believers may face trials, may live through times of difficulty but we are called to honour God our Saviour.