In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains; for look, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence.
On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
❈ Psalm 11 ❈
Considering the state of the world during a crisis, I am called to reflect:
What is the foundation of my world? Is it what I own? my politics? my job? my family or friends? Any of these things can be diminished, taken away, or even destroyed. Will that then leave me hopeless or without identity?
What is the foundation of my world? Is it what I own? my politics? my job? my family or friends? Any of these things can be diminished, taken away, or even destroyed. Will that then leave me hopeless or without identity?
In the 11th Psalm, the writer's world is called into question by others. The response seems to be what inspired Robert Browning to write, "God's in his heaven—all's right with the world!" It's a reminder that my foundation doesn't lie beneath me, but above me, for my foundation is God. When discouragement comes, the person of faith may acknowledge a cause for discouragement, but need not give in. Faithfulness leads to hope, and hope leads to acts of love and justice. And that is just what God's world needs at this time.
Help me not to be dejected, Lord, but instead to place my trust in you. May my faith lead me from discouragement to hope, and from hope to courage, in Jesus' Name, who taught me to pray: Our Father...
Crossposted to Psalm Today
