The LORD is in His Holy Temple
Psalm 11
by Lawrence Kelley
This psalm was occasioned by a conspiracy on David's life. I tteaches us lessons of faith
that are quite simple, but easily forgotten when the pressure is on. Therefore we need to be well drilled, before the
enemy starts shooting.
The psalm is easily divided into two parts. A rejection of timid counsel (vv.1-3). An explanation of His faith (vv.
4-7).
David's timid counselors: (1c-3). They advise him to "Flee like a bird to his hiding place." The suggest this course
because they claim the enemies are already making their move. "The wicked have conspired to shoot him from the
dark" Furthermore, Saul's mismanagement and corruption have caused the foundations of the civil order to collapse
and there is nowhere to turn."
We see David's reaction (v. 1a; vv. 4-7). David is insulted by this counsel. "Why do you say to me, flee . . .? For
my part, I trust in God." The problem is not that retreat is always and everywhere a sin. There are times when it is
right to fall back to a stronger position. Jesus said, "If they persecute you in one town, flee to the next." The apostle Paul escaped from King Aretas by being lowered in a basket from a city wall. The apostle Peter escaped from
prison with angelic help. And David himself did not object to flight when duty permitted it. The issue here was panic. David will not run at the first sight of danger. Faith not fear will dictate his movements.
David's trust is not irrational. He trusts in God. The God who is in His Holy Temple (v. 4), from where He beholds
all the children of men & distinguishes the wicked from the righteous (v. 5). He pours out judgment on the wicked
(v. 6). He beholds the upright or the upright behold his face (v. 7).
Observations:
The object of faith is supremely important: We are not a generic "people of faith" we are Christians with faith
in the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who reveals Himself in the Bible as: creator of all, giver of life, savior of mankind, perfect in power love and purity. This means that In the midst of our earthly confusions,
God sees all things clearly. As we are confused by the fog of war, God remains calm and collected. This
is why a right understanding of who God is must be considered the only rational basis of faith.
Damnation has never been adequately described. Even the inspired language of Scripture does not carry the full
weight of horror. "Lake of fire, outer darkness, raining brimstone" etc. I take these to be symbols, but it should be
noted that when symbols are used, they symbolize a greater, not lesser, reality.
And last, the cowardly like to assume that the foundations have been destroyed long before they actually have
been. This is because if the foundations have been destroyed, then we have our excuse for running away. "What can
the righteous do?" But this is the excuse of cowardice, and not the battle-cry of faith. Jesus commissioned us to disciple the nations. He did not say flee as a bird.
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