Refuge = a place of shelter, protection and safety

Have you ever been afraid? Have you ever felt not safe? David was about 20 years old when he wrote this psalm, sometime during the 10^th century B.C. The prophet Samuel had anointed David to be the future king of Israel. David resided with King Saul’s entourage and played the harp to calm the King, when he became anxious. David had escaped the javelin jealous King Saul threw at him multiple times. (1 Samuel 16:8 – 1 Samuel 18:12)

Psalm 11:¹ (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? ²For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. ³If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? ⁴The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. ⁵The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. ⁶Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. ⁷For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

In the first three verses David identifies his trust in the LORD; describes his dangerous situation and asks two important questions.

His trust is in the LORD

Trust = reliance, confidence, hope in the integrity, strength, ability of another person

LORD =the I AM, the Deliverer of Israel, Jehovah, Yaweh the Covenant Keeper

Why do you think David states His trust in the Lord before he describes the danger?

Do you tend to focus on the problem or the LORD?

David’s question

How say ye to my soul, flee when I trust the LORD?

Perhaps David’s friends advised him to run away, as a bird would fly straight to the mountain.

Do you feel temptation to run away and avoid the danger?

Are you careful to evaluate the counsel others give you based on the Bible?

The danger

The wicked have already bent their bows ready to slay with an arrow to his heart

Remember King Saul has already attempted to slay David and even in front of witnesses!

David’s question

If everything around you, to support you, is destroyed what can you do?

In verses 4-7, David describes the reasons his trust is in the LORD

1) The LORD is in his holy temple-God resides in a holy place

Holy = spiritually pure

Temple =the place where God dwells and can be worshiped

Why does it matter that the LORD is pure?

2) the LORD’S throne is in heaven:

Throne =sovereign power and authority

Heaven = a place of supreme joy with no sin or sorrow

What is the significance of where the LORD’s throne is located?

3) His eyes behold, His eyelids try the children of men.

Behold = to observe

What is the significance of the LORD beholding mankind?

4) The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Tries = tests the quality, value and fitness

Righteous = justifiable right in Jesus

Wicked = sinful, bad in principle and practice

Violence =rough and injurious force, action or treatment

Hates=feel extreme aversion and hostility; to intensely dislike

What does it matter to you that the LORD tries those who are justified by faith in Jesus Christ?

What does it matter to you that the LORD feels extreme hostility toward the sinful?

5) Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

Snare = anything serving to entrap or entangle unaware

Tempest =violent disturbance

Portion = the part of a whole allotted to or belonging to a person

What does this reason to trust the LORD mean to you?

6) For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Love =a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection

Countenance =appearance of the look or expression on the face

Behold = to observe

Upright =those who are in accordance with what is right

What difference does it make to you that the LORD loves those who are justified by faith in Jesus Christ and observes them?

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good  plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti