Sermon: If The Foundations Be Destroyed, What Can The Righteous Do?

Sermon: If the Foundations be Destroyed, What Can the Righteous Do?

Psalms 11:1-7 “I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.”

Introduction: More than any part of the Scriptures, it is the Psalms that have provided the greatest comfort for God’s struggling people through the centuries. Certainly I, as I have read through the Psalms over the last few weeks during this season of unrest, have had my vision lifted beyond the wreck of the world and set on the glory of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Here David asks, “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” I imagine that many of us over these last few weeks have felt like “the foundations are being destroyed.” Of course, many of us endure dark times in our lives where we feel that the very things that have given our lives stability have been pulled out from under us. The news reports are filled with stories of disasters, winter storms, government layoffs, deportations and limitless corruption. It is enough to make your head spin.

This psalm is another depiction of David in trouble. It may have been written when he fled from Saul's court and was hiding in the wilderness (Psalm 18). Or David may have written it when his son Absalom was pursuing him (Psalm 3). Whatever the occasion, this psalm expresses David's trust in the Lord as all-knowing and righteous.

What an interesting Psalms this is, as David the sweet psalmist of Israel, a man after God own heart, who considered His service of King Saul and of Israel as his post of duty; and would not listen to temptations presented by his advisers to desert it in fear. This event occurred early in the life of David. Up unto this point his life had been almost a fairytale yet it was true.

David’s story is very familiar to most of us. We remember him as a shepherd tending his father’s sheep. This son of Jessie, earned a great reputation as a great protector of the sheep, killing and a bear and a lion. We are also familiar with his musical skills and extraordinary anointing. Probably, nothing pushed David to the forefront as his noted battle with Goliath. In this psalm, David must face a new giant. After his defeat of Goliath, he was moved to the palace of king Saul and given the king’s daughter for a bride. The privilege to serve in Saul’s and defend his nation must have been simply awesome. Can you imagine being promoted from a shepherd boy with no military training to becoming a commander in the king’s army, the son-in-law of the king, and the king’s personal armor bearer. He moved from a commoner to royalty and his family would be tax exempt.

David has almost forgotten being overlooked by his father and brothers because King Saul treats him more like a son than a soldier. David really looks to king Saul as a father figure. He admired his stature, his vision and wisdom. So, David serves king Saul with all his might. Whatever task was required of David, He excelled. With every successful deed, His popularity grew. David became the subject of legends. Psalmists sang his praise, the people celebrated him, the soldiers admired him, and the Generals highly respected him. David was living the dream.

Little did he know, that his newly found popularity would stir up so much envy, jealousy and opposition. King Saul, his mentor and friend would become his chief enemy. Saul who had been known for his humble beginnings, honesty and just acts was now trying to take David’s life. Even Jonathan, Saul’s son recognized that Saul’s attitude had changed towards David. Now Saul was full of rage and anger against David. David’s advisors came to him saying, we know that you trust in God, and understand that you are not the kind of person to run away from your responsibility, but let’s be reasonable. “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”