Read
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
Trusting the Lord
1The Lord is my fortress!
Don't say to me,
“Escape like a bird
to the mountains!”
2You tell me, “Watch out!
Those evil people have put
their arrows on their bows,
and they are standing
in the shadows,
aiming at good people.
3What can an honest person do
when everything crumbles?”
4The Lord is sitting
in his sacred temple
on his throne in heaven.
He knows everything we do
because he sees us all.
5The Lord tests honest people,
but despises those
who are cruel
and love violence.
6He will send fiery coals
and flaming sulfur
down on the wicked,
and they will drink nothing
but a scorching wind.
7The Lord always does right
and wants justice done.
Everyone who does right
will see his face.
Reflect
“Fear makes you faithless, faith makes you fearless.” The statement, attributed to an anonymous source, appeared in my Facebook news feed, posted by a friend in a status update. But the words gave me pause, compelling me to stop my mindless scrolling. I read the words over again. Then again. I shut my laptop; this was a thought worth pondering for a while.
I hear the same sentiment in the words of Psalm 11, a psalm attributed to David. David certainly knew a thing or two about both fear and faith. Scripture tells us that as a young man he defeated lions and bears, and a giant Philistine named Goliath, armed only with a slingshot and his confidence in God.
“The LORD is my fortress!” exclaims verse 1 of this hymn of ancient Israel, so, “don’t say to me, ‘Escape like a bird to the mountains!’” There need be no flight to higher ground for the one whose trust is in the LORD, no matter how scary the opposition may seem.
We may never have to fight wild beasts or lurking, shadowed enemies armed with bows and arrows. But our foes can be just as ferocious: illness, job loss, financial troubles, the heartache of broken relationships, the pain of seeing loved ones turn away from God.
And yet, this psalm reminds us we need not fear.
Verse 4 explains why. “The LORD is sitting in his sacred temple on his throne in heaven.” God is sovereign. He is where he has always been, watching over his creation. He knows everything we do, because he sees it all, including the motivations of mortal hearts.
And because God “always does right and wants justice done” (verse 7), then as we – like the psalmist – put our confidence in God, we need never fear.
Respond
Almighty God, you are Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Help me to place my trust in you, that I may have courage to face the challenges that come my way, rising above circumstances rather than being defeated by them. For I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Patricia Paddey
Patricia Paddey has worked with Canada’s mainstream media in positions at the CBC, CTV and The CNW Group. Since 1998, she has managed a thriving freelance business, creating print, broadcast and online content for Christian media and non-profit organizations. An award-winning writer, she has been published in a wide array of Canadian publications. With an undergraduate degree in Radio and Television Arts, she is pursuing an Master of Theological Studies part-time, and works as Director of Communications for Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto.