SERMON TITLE: Psalm 11
TEXT: Psalm 11:1-7
SPEAKER: Jon McKanna
DATE: 10/10/21
You can watch the sermon here.
You can find the sermon notes here.
Good morning everyone my name is Jon. I’m the Campus Pastor and one of the worship leaders at our North Main Campus, it’s great to be with you this morning. Welcome to those who are joining us online, and of course my favorite people at Gateway Church, the North Main Campus. I’m thankful for everyone who's making the services happen over there in my absence there today and thankful for this opportunity to be sharing from God’s Word with each of you.
Before I get going with our message for today I've got to acknowledge someone. You see last year I had told Josh that I was able to preach in the Fall, he just needed to let me know what week was needed. Some of you may know this already, but I love coaching baseball and invest a great deal of time in young men during the spring and summer months, but I've got more time to prepare in the Fall. So what date does Josh pick...October 10th...my wife's birthday. And it's not just any birthday, it's a BIG ONE! Now I'm sure that most if not all of you have birthday traditions, I do! I always remind Kasey that she's ½ way to … and then fill in the number for that year. This year she's ½ way to the Roman numeral C. You can figure that out on your own. But Happy Birthday Boss, I hope you enjoy your day! I'm definitely going to enjoy it because it's once again that time of year where I get to enjoy being 6 years younger than you! Please know that I'm fully aware, if you see us together you'll think it's the other way around. Happy Birthday!
Not only did Pastor Josh assign me to speak on Kasey's big day, he also gave me a passage that seemed very familiar for some reason. After reading through it twice, I quickly realized why. I had taught from the same passage back in 1997 when I was home from college for the Summer. I remember that service very well because it was when our youth pastor and his family were moving away. They're a great family and had a huge impact on a lot of people in our church in the time they had served there. In fact, it was such a big deal that I even wore a suit to that Sunday night service! BIG DEAL! One day as I was preparing and putting notes together for this message, I grabbed the Bible I was using back then, it's on the shelf in my office. There it was, I still had the note sheet tucked away 24 years later. Let's just say I found the similarities from 1997 to 2021 to be kind of scary as I read through them. I did look for the suit I wore that night as well, but for some reason I don't have it anymore.
So now that everyone is just riveted and on the edge of their seats wanting to know what passage we're studying today...I can tell you it's Psalm 11, so go ahead and turn there in your bibles or your phone if you’re following along on the Gateway App. While you're doing that, I want to give you some background information we have about this Psalm. We know that this Psalm is written by David and to "the choirmaster" or "the chief musician". That's really all we have, with no historical data to help us know where it fell in David's journey. I did find one commentary intriguing as it said, (https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=mh&b=19&c=11 , Matthew Henry Complete Bible Commentary) "In times of public fear, when the insults of the church's enemies are daring and threatening, it will be profitable to meditate on this psalm." I'd say that applies to us today...so let's read Psalm 11:1-7.
1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, "Flee like a bird to your mountain, 2 for behold the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" 4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. 5 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. (Psalm 11:1-7, ESV)
If we step back and take a look at the whole chapter, we notice a familiar situation for David. He seems to have enemies after him. His life is most likely in danger which is common for him. But in the midst of that danger it appears that David is getting advice from others, most likely some of his friends. They want him to flee and find safety from his enemies who are trying to or planning to kill him. These advisers seem to be concerned about David and looking out for his well being. In essence, they're telling David to seek shelter or take cover.
When you hear the words "seek shelter" or "take cover", what comes to mind? Can you think of a time in the past where you've had to do this? Maybe you were out on a golf course or watching a ballgame and a storm came out of nowhere. Everyone takes off looking for some type of cover from the rain. Or how many of you can picture that epic snowball fight scene in the movie Elf? Buddy is destroying the kids who started the fight and they just take off running. Or maybe you remember all of those tornado drills we had to do in elementary school. You know where everyone was crouched down in a ball on the floor inspecting how well the custodian had cleaned the floors the night before.
Maybe yours is much more serious. You think of the time you spent serving our country. Or you think of one...of the many...circumstances in the world today where seeking shelter is needed.
When I hear those words I think of a trip I took to OK back in 2013. We were there to provide relief to those who had experienced devastation from tornadoes. The first house that we worked on was probably a 2,800 sq ft two story brick home that had been destroyed. The home owners found that it was quicker and more cost effective to simply dig a hole somewhere on their property and burn all of the material that would burn. Then throw the brick in on top of the remains and cover it up with dirt. So that's what we did. We separated materials. Metal was hauled off to be recycled and wood was thrown in the hole to be burned. Everything else was placed to the side to be handled later.
But one thing we were sure to check was the family's storm shelter. It was located just a few feet behind the house. The family had stayed in it during the tornado. I will never forget that experience. That's what I think of. But regardless of what comes to mind, we can all agree that when those words are used, it means something bad is about to happen. Or there is great potential for something bad to happen…so we need to seek safety.
That's the situation we find David in, he's in danger and his friends are telling him to flee and seek shelter or take cover. But let's look again at verse 1 and see what his response is. "In the Lord I take refuge:" This is David's first response. Right away he wants his advisers and everyone else to know something. David's telling us that he is trusting in God for protection in his current circumstances and he won't have it any other way. There were definitely times in David's life where he was on the run, as King Saul was hunting him down. But similar to his encounter with the Philistine...not this time. This is how Spurgeon explained it, "He would rather dare the danger than exhibit a distrust in the Lord his God." (Devotional Classics of C. H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, p 25.) He knew that by no means was this an escape or a way of avoiding the situation or any pain and suffering that may come. But he knew that he could trust God in it.
Also I want to note what isn't happening. David isn't saying he's going to be complacent. He's not settled in and comfortable where he is and therefore not moving. That's not it at all. One commentary speaks of taking refuge in God in this way, "The call to take refuge is not a call to hunker down and remain inactive until the danger passes. It is a call to realize that in Christ we have been given life so abundant and so eternal that we need not fear to give it all away." (The NIV Application Commentary, Psalms Volume 1. Wilson, Gerald H., p 265.) David is fully aware of the danger, but is still choosing to trust in God.
Verse 2 shows us what he's facing this time around, the danger that he's fully aware of. 2 for behold the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; (Psalm 11:2, ESV) It would appear that he has an enemy ready to attack. Seeing the words "in the dark" even leads us to think that this may have been some secret attack. Or maybe this is a plan that is still in the works. From the perspective of David's friends, he was in great danger. So they were warning him and giving what they thought was great advice.
I don't want it to seem like I'm picking on David's friends, because they seem to be good friends, so let's look at some other examples of family or friends giving advice in the Bible. In fact there were two of them that came to mind as I was preparing. Job is an obvious example. He is in great distress as he suffers blow after blow. Losing all that he has and finally suffering physically. What was the advice he received from his wife? "Curse God and die." (Kasey might say that to me before the day's over with all the publicity that she's getting.) But can you imagine that, can you imagine your spouse walking up to you in a time where you're experiencing great loss, in a time where you are suffering and then giving you this advice? Fortunately, as many of you already know, Job didn't follow her advice.
Nehemiah is the other example I thought of. He's helping the people of God rebuild the wall of Jerusalem as exiles are returning. While many are working away and supporting him, there are some people who aren't happy and trying to distract him. But then in chapter 6 he goes to visit a shut-in. Let's read verses 10-12, 10 Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, "Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight." 11 But I replied, "Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won't do it!" 12 I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. (Nehemiah 6:10-12, NLT)
We don't really know why Nehemiah went for this visit. We can see that the man is a 3rd generation among God's people. We can also see that he's "confined to his home". So I would guess that it's to check in on him and maybe give him an update of all that God is accomplishing among the people. This would've been very important to him. Then in the midst of visiting, the man appears to warn Nehemiah of a plot to kill him and offers advice that on the surface looks good. It looks like he's trying to save his life. But Nehemiah sees through it and doesn't listen.
How quick are you to give advice to others...even if they don't ask for it? Similar to David's friends, Job's wife, or the shut-in, we can be quick to give advice to those around us. Someone comes to us and gives us their view of a given situation they are facing. In doing so, they tell us the details that they feel are important and do so in a way that, if we're honest, paints a picture so we view the situation just as they do. Then we proceed to give them guidance based on the picture they have painted for us. Our desire is to help them and sometimes we are able to do that. But how often do we give bad advice to those around us because of our limited view and understanding of the situation? That's what is happening in our passage. David's friends have lost sight of God and are focused on the enemy or potential danger for David. So their advice isn't something for David to follow.
When we speak or give advice are we humble enough to recognize that not all of it is good advice? Can we admit that there may be times when we need to not offer advice at all? Can we see that this is true of others as well? It's true of those giving us guidance...
Now let's consider the other side of this. How many times are we in situations where we actually seek out the advice of others around us? If we aren't careful, we could find ourselves following the advice or direction of others instead of the direction God has for us. It's so easy to do! We all have friends that we share life with. We know the details of their lives, what all they are facing, and they know the same for us. They have our best interest in mind when they give us advice. But...that doesn't mean it's the direction that God has for us to take.
David continues to quote the advice of his friends. This includes what seems to be a rhetorical question. But this is a question that I felt was very applicable in 1997 and still is to this day. Let's look at verse 3 again, 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3, ESV) One commentary puts it this way, The idea was, “The very foundation of Saul’s government is destroyed. What can a righteous one like you do, except flee?” (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-11/ , David Guzik.) I have to wonder how many of you have felt this way more than once in your lifetime. How many have felt this way in recent years. How many of you have asked yourselves something along the lines of, "Am I making any difference?" "Or what's the point anymore?" How many of us simply feel like they're just fighting a losing battle.
Here is what I had to say as a sophomore in college, "The foundations of our nation, our churches, and ultimately our families are being destroyed. What have we opted for? We try to fight back using the same weapons and tactics being used against us." Now can you see what I mentioned earlier? Can you see some obvious similarities to what we are experiencing today?
But what if we took David's advice here? What if we didn't get caught up in the fighting, the finger pointing, or anything else that just causes division in the church and in the world around us? What if we didn't flee and take cover? What if we took refuge in God alone and focused our eyes on him alone? What if we stayed focused on the work he's given us to do, on the fact that he's in control? Would our lives look any different than they do right now? Would our response to the situations we face look any different?
David points to this as we continue with verse 4, "4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. (Psalm 11:4, ESV) What is David trying to say here? He's reminding himself and everyone else that God isstill in control. He hasn't clocked out and left the building. Not only that, God is fully aware of David's situation and all that he is facing. God sees what he is going through and is attentive to him. So David can continue doing what God has for him to do and trust in him, take refuge in him.
While we can find numerous other examples in the Bible, this reminds me of the courage that Moses had and was then passing on to Joshua (and everyone listening). His life and role as a leader were coming to an end and with all that he had experienced, all that he had been through leading the people of Israel...Moses still had confidence. Here's what is says in Deuteronomy 31 starting with verse 7, 7 Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, "Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. 8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." (Deuteronomy 31:7-8, NLT)
Then if Moses' words weren't enough, Joshua later hears from God himself. Moses has passed away and Joshua is now the official leader of God's people. God is telling him to be strong and courageous. Along with that, twice God reassures Joshua that he will be with him. The first is in verse 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. (Joshua 1:5, NLT) Then in a very familiar verse we see a similar statement. "This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NLT) Knowing that God was with him, meant that Joshua could take refuge in him at any time. It gave great confidence to this new leader.
Whether it's Moses passing on the torch to Joshua, Joshua taking on this new role, or David responding to his advisors, they all show great confidence. Notice it wasn't confidence in a structure or system, it wasn't in man, it wasn't in their own talents, resources, or abilities...their confidence was in God alone.
That truth is the same for us as well. We have to be sure that regardless of what it is we are facing, our confidence is in God alone to get us through. That is hard! It's easy to focus on how great or overwhelming the situation is that we are facing. And it's easy to become fearful. Then on top of that we are so quick to place our trust, our hope, our confidence, our attention, our resources in: a person, a political party, in science, a job, our finances, a plan we've put together, or simply in ourselves. These are the things that we so often turn to for security in life. These are the things that we have confidence in, until they fail and we feel abandoned. It's easy to take our eyes off of God and even forget that he is with us.
But we have to remember how BIG our God is. We have to remember how faithful our God has been and will continue to be. We have to remember that he is always with us. We have to remember that he is the only person we can truly place our confidence in.
Let's continue in our passage. 5 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. (Psalm 11:5-6, ESV) Here David is contrasting two groups of people. We have the righteous and the wicked. God is testing the righteous. The word used here for test means, to examine or prove something. He's saying that when things seem to be falling apart all around us, we can know that God is testing us...he is still in control...we can still find refuge in him. As hard as it may be, we can ask God to work in us, to help us grow, as we see what he longs to do through our testing and proving.
And while God is testing the righteous, he still sees the wicked and all they are doing. So David is remembering what the outcome will be for the wicked. They are God's enemy and they will not go unpunished. As David reminds himself of what's to come, no doubt his confidence continues to grow.
In reading verse 6 there may have been something that sounded familiar to you. The mentioning of the punishment and the cup found in that verse reminded me of Jesus' prayer found in Matthew 26. He went a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." (Matthew 26:39, NLT) This cup of suffering that Jesus would endure was the result of taking on the wrath of God that we deserved. Because we so often choose things contrary to God's word and contrary to his ways. We are not righteous because of the sin in our lives. Because of this we deserve the fire and sulfur and a scorching wind that verse 5 speaks of. But he (Jesus) drank the portion of our cup so we don't have to. Let me repeat that, because I don't want anyone to miss it. He drank the portion of our cup so we don't have to.
In Hebrews chapter 2 puts it this way, 9 What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position "a little lower than the angels"; and because he suffered death for us, he is now "crowned with glory and honor." Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. (Hebrews 2:9-10, NLT) Jesus suffered. Jesus tasted death and is now crowned with glory and honor. Jesus is our righteousness. If there is anything that we can look to and grow in our confidence, it's there. We can look to the cross and see what he has done. We can not only have confidence in him, we can take refuge in him.
Finally we will finish out the passage reading verse 7. For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. (Psalm 11:7, ESV) Here we see a clear picture of the contrast in outcomes for the wicked, mentioned in the two previous verses, and the righteous or upright. While the wicked will drink the cup we all deserve and will suffer consequences of their sin, the upright will behold his face. And it's Jesus' face that we'll behold. 1 John 3 says this, 2 Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. (1 John 3:2, NLT) We will see Jesus.
Not only is Jesus our righteousness, but he is the righteous Lord that verse 7 speaks of. If you remember from the last time I was teaching in Psalm, I talked about the face of God and mentioned how David talks about the face of God shining on them. This was always speaking of great blessing. So while the wicked will suffer, the upright will see blessing...for we will see Jesus.
Some of you here today have suffered greatly in your lifetime. Maybe for some, you are just coming out of a very difficult time or you're in the middle of one right now. You've been faithful to God and if you're honest, it feels like God hasn't always been there. Or maybe it feels like that refuge you sought wasn't all that safe. Can I tell you today that it's ok and you're not alone if you feel that way! I've been there in the last two years. My family has been through multiple battles with cancer, we've taken on COVID, we've lost people who were very dear to us, and let's just say as a staff member and elder there hasn't been one decision made where everyone agrees and supports you. It's definitely felt like that time of testing that David mentioned in our passage!
But no matter how dark or difficult life is, that doesn't change who God is. It doesn't change the fact that God is still with us. It doesn't mean we should stop seeking refuge and shelter in him. Because he is the only one who will never fail us. He is the only one we can have great confidence in.
I mentioned a storm shelter earlier. It was what the family in OK fled to when the tornadoes would come. There were a few things that I found interesting about it. It wasn't really flashy or accommodating. It was simply this white metal lid that served as a door and then a metal box that had been buried underground. I mean, it wasn't a place that you would want to run to and hang out in all the time. It wasn't really spacious. I'm sure that once their whole family was down there, personal space wasn't an option at all! And it definitely didn't look comfortable, despite the colorful foam mats they had laid down on the floor to add cushion. But it had everything they needed to survive the storm, even when nothing else around them was left standing.
The family didn't have to load up in their SUV with all they could grab on their way out the door and drive off trying to escape the storm. No, they stayed and took shelter and knew that they would be safe there. How did they know that? They had used it before and were kept safe. They had friends, family members, and neighbors who had used similar storm shelters and had been kept safe. And while they experienced loss, they were able to make plans for what was next even while we were disposing of their home and all that had been ruined. They were able to rebuild and move on with their lives because they found refuge in the midst of the storms. They had made it through the storm.
I pray that today, if you haven't already done so, you decide to take refuge in Jesus. I pray that each one of us can have a renewed hope, knowing that whatever we're facing or whatever we've been going through God isn't surprised or taken off guard. He hasn't heard one too many people cry out for help and walked off the job, but he is with us. We can take refuge in him at any time. I pray that we realize that in Jesus we have all that we need to get through the storms of life. That doesn't mean we won't still face hardship or even suffer loss. But we will be able to make it through the storm and have hope for a new day.
I pray that we all go this week having confidence knowing that God is with us and seeking shelter in him alone.
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