Psalm 11
In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain.
For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.
When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.
On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.
Psalm 11
David begins this psalm by reminding us that it is in the LORD we take refuge; it is therefore imperative that the rest of the psalm be cast in this light. The rest of the passage speaks much of the righteous and the wicked, good and evil, and the consequences of each.
On this Holy Saturday, be reminded that our status of righteousness is attained not through might, striving, or zeal, but through the transforming power of Jesus Christ, and our ‘taking refuge in Him.' He died on a Cross, was put in a tomb, and was raised to life on the third day that righteousness might be raised to life within us, by grace through faith - not by works - so that no one can boast.
Prayer Focuses
Action Steps
For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.
When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.
On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.
Psalm 11
David begins this psalm by reminding us that it is in the LORD we take refuge; it is therefore imperative that the rest of the psalm be cast in this light. The rest of the passage speaks much of the righteous and the wicked, good and evil, and the consequences of each.
On this Holy Saturday, be reminded that our status of righteousness is attained not through might, striving, or zeal, but through the transforming power of Jesus Christ, and our ‘taking refuge in Him.' He died on a Cross, was put in a tomb, and was raised to life on the third day that righteousness might be raised to life within us, by grace through faith - not by works - so that no one can boast.
Prayer Focuses
- Lord, I repent of my striving, knowing that it is a barrier to trusting that righteousness is Yours to enact within us.
- I surrender my heart to You now, Lord, and I pray that you would transform me nearer and nearer into Your Image.
- God, I pray that this transformation would be experienced tangibly and practically in the way I love my family, friends, neighbors, and my enemies.
Action Steps
- Think of the ways you typically respond when you recognize that you’ve sinned. Do you try to earn your way back into God’s good grace? Do you avoid your relationship with God? Do you make promises that you can’t keep? Surrender these responses to Him.
- Ask God to help you take refuge in Him and surrender to His work in you instead of the work you attempt to achieve on our own.
- Look for the opportunities God is putting in front of you to live out the transformation He’s doing within you. Approach these prayerfully, humbly, and in surrender, acknowledging that this work is of God, not of yourself.
Posted in Walking with Psalms
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