Finding Refuge and Justice in God's Sovereignty
Summary
In reflecting on Psalm 11, we are reminded of the profound truth that our refuge and strength are found in the Lord. David's declaration, "In the Lord, I take refuge," sets the tone for understanding the psalm's message. This is not a call to flee from challenges but to stand firm in faith, trusting in God's sovereignty and justice. The psalm addresses the temptation to escape difficulties, symbolized by the advice to "flee like a bird to the mountain." However, David's response is rooted in his confidence in God's protection and justice, even when the foundations seem to be under attack.
The foundations referred to in Psalm 11 are not merely cultural or societal structures but the divine order established by God. This order is characterized by justice, particularly for the poor and afflicted. The psalmist emphasizes that attacks on these foundations are ultimately attacks on God Himself and His people. This perspective shifts the focus from a culture war to a spiritual battle, where the church is called to uphold God's justice and care for the needy.
The psalm also highlights the reality of wickedness in the world, where the powerful often exploit the weak. Yet, it reassures us that God sees and judges all, and His justice will prevail. The call for the righteous is to remain steadfast, finding refuge in God and living out His justice and love. This is a reminder that our ultimate hope and security lie not in earthly stability but in the unshakeable foundation of God's truth and righteousness.
Key Takeaways:
1. Refuge in the Lord: David's declaration of taking refuge in the Lord is a profound act of faith, especially when faced with adversity. It challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty and protection rather than succumbing to fear or fleeing from challenges. This trust is not passive but an active reliance on God's steadfast love and power. [02:15]
2. Divine Justice: The foundations under attack are God's established order, characterized by justice and care for the afflicted. This justice is not abstract but a tangible expression of God's love for His people, especially the poor and needy. As believers, we are called to uphold this justice in our communities and beyond. [15:13]
3. The Reality of Wickedness: The psalm acknowledges the presence of wickedness and violence in the world, often driven by the powerful exploiting the weak. This reality should not lead us to despair but to a deeper reliance on God's justice and ultimate victory over evil. [33:17]
4. The Role of the Church: The church is central to God's plan, serving as a beacon of light and truth in a world of deceit and oppression. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to God's Word, resisting the temptation to conform to worldly standards and instead embodying Christ's love and justice. [36:52]
5. Hope in God's Sovereignty: Despite the apparent overthrow of foundations, the righteous find their hope and refuge in God. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident assurance in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to accomplish His purposes through His people. [41:57]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:04] - Introduction and Context
[00:56] - Understanding Psalm 11
[02:15] - David's Confession of Faith
[03:24] - The Temptation to Flee
[05:08] - The Nature of Wickedness
[06:59] - God's Sovereignty and Justice
[09:20] - The Foundations of God's Order
[12:04] - The Church's Role in God's Plan
[15:13] - Justice for the Afflicted
[18:24] - The Reality of Human Wickedness
[21:06] - David's Trust in God
[24:42] - The King and God's Justice
[29:19] - Caring for the Needy
[36:52] - The Church's Call to Truth
[41:57] - Hope and Refuge in God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 11
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 11
- Psalm 9:7-12
- Deuteronomy 15:4-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What does David declare at the beginning of Psalm 11, and how does this set the tone for the rest of the psalm? [02:15]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the advice to "flee like a bird to the mountain," and how does David respond to it? [03:24]
3. How does the sermon describe the nature of the foundations that are under attack, and what does this imply about the nature of the conflict? [09:20]
4. What role does justice play in the psalms surrounding Psalm 11, and how is this theme developed in the sermon? [15:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" and what does this reveal about the nature of the challenges faced by believers? [06:59]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church is central to God's plan, and how does this relate to the concept of divine justice? [10:54]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between wickedness and power, and what implications does this have for understanding the world today? [18:24]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the church in upholding God's justice, and how does this challenge contemporary believers? [36:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt tempted to "flee like a bird to the mountain" in the face of challenges. How can you actively choose to take refuge in the Lord instead? [03:24]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of justice for the poor and afflicted. How can you personally contribute to upholding justice in your community? [15:13]
3. Consider the ways in which you might be influenced by worldly standards. How can you resist this temptation and remain faithful to God's Word? [36:52]
4. The sermon highlights the reality of wickedness and exploitation in the world. How can you deepen your reliance on God's justice and ultimate victory over evil in your daily life? [33:17]
5. How can your church community become a beacon of light and truth in a world of deceit and oppression? What specific actions can you take to support this mission? [36:52]
6. Reflect on the concept of hope in God's sovereignty. How can you cultivate a confident assurance in God's unchanging nature and His purposes in your life? [41:57]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust in God's protection and sovereignty more fully. What steps can you take this week to strengthen your faith in this area? [02:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Sovereignty and Protection
In Psalm 11, David's declaration, "In the Lord, I take refuge," is a profound act of faith, especially when faced with adversity. This statement challenges believers to trust in God's sovereignty and protection rather than succumbing to fear or fleeing from challenges. Trusting in God is not a passive act but an active reliance on His steadfast love and power. It requires a conscious decision to stand firm in faith, even when the world around us seems unstable. This trust is rooted in the understanding that God is in control and that His plans are for our good, even when we cannot see the full picture. [02:15]
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
Reflection: What is one specific challenge you are currently facing where you need to actively trust in God's protection and sovereignty? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?
Day 2: Upholding Divine Justice
The foundations under attack in Psalm 11 are God's established order, characterized by justice and care for the afflicted. This justice is not abstract but a tangible expression of God's love for His people, especially the poor and needy. Believers are called to uphold this justice in their communities and beyond, recognizing that attacks on these foundations are ultimately attacks on God Himself and His people. This perspective shifts the focus from a culture war to a spiritual battle, where the church is called to be a beacon of light and truth, embodying Christ's love and justice in a world of deceit and oppression. [15:13]
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in upholding God's justice in your community? Is there a specific cause or need that you feel called to support?
Day 3: Recognizing the Reality of Wickedness
Psalm 11 acknowledges the presence of wickedness and violence in the world, often driven by the powerful exploiting the weak. This reality should not lead believers to despair but to a deeper reliance on God's justice and ultimate victory over evil. It is a reminder that while wickedness may seem prevalent, God sees and judges all, and His justice will prevail. The call for the righteous is to remain steadfast, finding refuge in God and living out His justice and love, even in the face of adversity. [33:17]
Habakkuk 1:2-4 (ESV): "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you 'Violence!' and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted."
Reflection: How can you maintain hope and faith in God's justice when confronted with the reality of wickedness in the world? What practical steps can you take to be a light in dark places?
Day 4: The Church's Role in God's Plan
The church is central to God's plan, serving as a beacon of light and truth in a world of deceit and oppression. Believers have the responsibility to remain faithful to God's Word, resisting the temptation to conform to worldly standards and instead embodying Christ's love and justice. This involves actively participating in the mission of the church, supporting one another in faith, and reaching out to those in need. The church is called to be a community that reflects God's kingdom values, standing firm in truth and love amidst a world that often opposes them. [36:52]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the mission of your local church in embodying Christ's love and justice? Is there a specific ministry or area where you feel led to serve?
Day 5: Hope in God's Sovereignty
Despite the apparent overthrow of foundations, the righteous find their hope and refuge in God. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident assurance in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to accomplish His purposes through His people. Believers are encouraged to hold onto this hope, trusting that God is at work even when circumstances seem dire. It is a reminder that our ultimate security lies not in earthly stability but in the unshakeable foundation of God's truth and righteousness. [41:57]
Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV): "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to renew your hope in God's sovereignty? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and steadfast love each day?
Quotes
"In the Lord, I take refuge." That's where David begins. That's the confession of David's heart. That's the certainty of his experience, "In the Lord, I take refuge." And he makes that confession of faith because there are people who are trying to convince him to do something else. [00:02:08]
David was in distress, and there were people who were offering him the advice that the best thing to do with trouble is to run away from it; take off. Now, it makes me think a little bit about one of my very favorite quotations from John Calvin, where John Calvin said, "We should live like birds on a branch." [00:02:41]
And David then is reflecting that the reason he has taken refuge in the Lord, the reason he is not fleeing like a bird to the mountain is because he knows where the trouble has come from, namely, from the wicked, "For behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart." [00:05:18]
The rest of the psalm is really saying, "What the righteous do is they take refuge in the Lord knowing that He is enthroned in His holy temple." And, I don't want to anticipate what all my friends are going to say as they come to speak, but that's the assurance. [00:07:16]
And it goes right on to say that even when the foundations are being overthrown, God remains God, God remains in charge, God remains our hope and our help. "If the foundations," what foundations? What does the psalmist have in mind when he thinks about an attack on the foundations? [00:07:52]
And therefore, an attack on the foundations, David wants to make clear for us, is an attack on God Himself. It's only secondarily an attack on us. That should be some comfort to us. When the wicked fit their arrow into the bow to attack, they are ultimately attacking God. [00:09:44]
And from the teachings of Psalms 9 and 10, we could say that the one word that recurs in those Psalms about God's foundation is "justice," "justice." Justice, not just in a bare legal abstract sense, but justice as the manifestation of God's care and love for His people. [00:14:22]
God is a God of justice who keeps in mind, especially, the afflicted among His people, the weak among His people, the poor and the needy among His people. And that should arrest us, that should affect us, that should grip us. The very reason we particularly need justice is because injustice is most frequently inflicted on the weak. [00:17:07]
And the foundation at the heart of God's commitment to justice, as we see in the Old Testament, is that God has a king over His people. That king as we read about it here in Psalm 11 is King David. But King David, of course, is standing in the place of great David's greater Son, King Jesus. [00:23:19]
And the king as the protector of justice, Deuteronomy 17 tells us, is to make a copy of the Law, to keep it always with him, to meditate on it day and night so that his heart will be instructed by God's justice, by God's care, by God's love in the protection of God's people. [00:25:40]
And that's why it's so crucial that the church continue to be what God wants it to be, to be a light shining in a world of wickedness. And that's why it is so tragic, especially, I think in some ways for me as a church historian, to look at all of those who name the name of Christ around the world and see how much deceit has entered the church. [00:36:41]
But even though the wicked are overthrowing the foundations, we do not lose heart. What do the righteous do? They find their refuge in God, their hope in God, their strength in God, their life in God, their message in God. And God will honor that, and God will accomplish His purpose. [00:41:39]
Chatbot
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