Amidst Chaos, One Constant: Psalm 11
As I sit at the kitchen table, engrossed in reading and praying, the turbulence in the culture at large is palpable. Why does evil seem to prosper? Why do the wicked appear triumphant, and why are behaviors that God condemns becoming so normalized and accepted? In this self-centered society that seems determined to subvert reality, what role do I play? How, Lord, can I find solace amid the rampant moral confusion clouding the minds of many? Perhaps the starting point is found in echoing David from the eleventh psalm: “In the Lord I take refuge.”
David begins this psalm with a resounding declaration, a proclamation of trust in his most steadfast source of strength: the Lord. And intriguingly, as I progress through the verses, this theme of refuge in the Lord reverberates with each line.
“For behold, the wicked bend the bow.” That’s ok, “In the Lord I take refuge.”
“They have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.” No problem, “In the Lord I take refuge.”
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” My answer? “In the Lord I take refuge.”
This psalm resonates profoundly, especially in these tumultuous times. It serves as a potent reminder of our primary recourse: to seek refuge in the Lord. He is everywhere and He knows all things, He oversees all, governing every event within the confines of His sovereign will. He observes with care and abhors wickedness. And while He permits its existence, it’s to test the righteousness of His followers. Are we to align with wickedness, or will we patiently uphold righteousness, anticipating the joy of seeing Him face-to-face?
These are trying times, and this psalm offers a beacon of hope. As the world seemingly crumbles around me, as every day unveils fresh chaos, reminiscent of the chapters of Revelation, and just when it appears that societal sanity is a lost cause, I’ll clutch onto this psalm’s opening line: “In the Lord I take refuge.” And on those days when endurance seems impossible, let me hold fast to the promise of one day “beholding His face.”
In Him, with love
mike
