Sin and disease are ugly.
To see a friend or family member struggling with cancer or some
incurable disease is to see just a bit of what the fall into sin has done to our
world. We live in a fallen world and we
see that fall vividly portrayed in the hatred and animosity that seems to have
become much more common all around us. As a result evil, sickness and hardship impact
all of us in some way. There are times when I wonder if there is any hope? David
asked that question many times in the Psalms so we know that it is not a new
question? Let’s look at these verses together.
Psalm 11:2-3 (NLT) The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the
bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those
whose hearts are right. [3] The
foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the
righteous do?”
We don’t know what prompted David’s words in this
Psalm. But we know that many times in
his life he faced difficulties and hardships. There were times when he must have thought those
who were evil were taking direct aim at those who were seeking to live for the
Lord. When he was hiding from King Saul,
who was trying to kill him, he must have wondered if it would ever end? In this Psalm he goes on to say that the very
foundation on which law and order were based had collapsed. Watching the news, hearing about the decisions
made by our courts, and laws passed by our government left me wondering exactly
the same thing that David expressed at the end of vs. 3. “What
can the righteous do?” I know we can
continue to pray for revival - we can continue to share the gospel - we can
continue to shine brightly into the darkness.
But is that all? NO, there is
always HOPE with God....
Psalm 11:4, 7 (NLT) But the LORD is in His holy Temple; the LORD still
rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining
every person on earth. ...[7] For the righteous LORD loves justice. The
virtuous will see his face.
I Love this reminder that the LORD is in His HOLY temple
-AND- that the LORD STILL RULES. Whatever difficulties David was facing, no
matter how bleak things seemed he knew God was still Sovereign. He accepted the fact that God was still in
Control, He was still Ruler over all. David also reminds us that God sees everything
that happens good or evil. God examines
both the godly and the wicked. The fact
that God is Righteous and LOVES Justice is a great reminder. Things may have gotten seriously twisted in
this world and it may appear that evil is winning on every front - but God
STILL REIGNS. Someday all things will
come to an end. Until then on a daily
basis I need to remember God still Rules - He still Loves
Justice - and some day we will see Him.
