Psalm 11 & refuge in the Lord

I’ve had far too many moments of not looking to the Lord since COVID-19 hit.

Have you also?

And that ‘not-looking-to-him’ generally won't change unless we do something about it. So, for me it has meant the inclusion of a Psalm at night before bed: letting this One fill my eyes and heart before I lay my head on the pillow.

Here’s Psalm 11 (CSB references below).

David begins (v. 1) with this declaration:

"I have taken refuge in the Lord."

And so, he asks (v.1-3):

"How can you say to me,

'Escape to the mountains like a bird!

For look, the wicked string bows;

They put arrows on bowstrings

To shoot from the shadows

at the upright in heart.

When the foundations

are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?'"

When wickedness (or in our case uncertainty and sickness) is all around, people are saying to David “escape to the mountains!”. In other words, search for security – run to it.

And haven’t we felt that in the last month?

Where have you felt tempted to run to, to look to for security, for refuge? Be honest.

“When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Answer? Nothing really.

But we can look to him who rules and sees.

That is what it looks like to ‘take refuge in the Lord’.

So, verse 4:

"The LORD is in his holy temple;

The Lord – his throne is in heaven.

His eyes watch;

His gaze examines everyone."

God rules. God examines. God knows.

Verse 7:

"For the LORD is righteous;

He loves righteous deeds.

The upright will see his face."

This is where David’s trust is. And this is why he keeps looking to the Lord, making Him his refuge.

And there is a reward:

As we keep looking to him (really, the right response to circumstances)… we will see his face. Which actually is far more splendid than escaping current circumstances or dangers.

I need to take refuge in the Lord. One way I can keep doing that is by looking to him – the one who rules and sees, and rewards.

Grace and peace

Ryan

Campus Director, Howard College