PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 11
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)
Jesus lived the right (righteous) life in the midst of a dark, crumbling world.
We live in a time when foundations are being destroyed, truth and morality are rejected.
If we want to follow Jesus in the world today, what can we do?
Jesus calls us to do the right thing, even if no one else joins us.
To live and to love “like Jesus” is the definition of rightness, or righteousness.
As followers of Jesus, with the Spirit’s help, we strive to do the right thing.
Though we won’t do it perfectly, we get closer than if we didn’t try at all.
At the same time, do not be ‘self-righteous’ by looking down on others.
It is God’s job to examine and judge the righteous and wicked (vv.4-6), not ours!
As we look up to Jesus, and follow Him, “the upright will see His face!” (v.7)
More than this, when everything is falling apart, others will see His face too.
People will look to those who exhibit the Jesus Life, and see hope in them!
Stop complaining about how wrong the world is; shine some rightness into it instead!
There IS something for us to do in this dark world – let people see the Jesus way!
PRAYER
Lord, sometimes the world seems so wrong, everything is falling apart. Help me to see that with You there is something I can do… by looking to You, and I can help others see You too!
Remembering God’s promises of faithfulness to the righteous reminds me of my job to be faithful to God’s commands. And consistently checking if I’m being wicked and loving violence (me and Him know what that means for me) today, or I’ll slip. David doesn’t even say that he hopes his situation will get better.
I have come to experience that the Lord does observe – He does know what is happening and I may pray that He would intervene – the way I prayed He would. But though He answers sometimes differently or less directly than I prayed – He does answer – because He knows – He is in His heavenly temple and He observes – has the picture – knows what best – and that comforts me! May I continue to be steadfast especially when I face opposition and doubt. Lord examine my heart and work within me to purge all that is not right – and help we follow your leading as I live here among many who do not believe.
Foundations.
Building upon a Rock that can not be moved.
Planted by the riverside. Being rooted.
At all costs, in all situations, I need to let the Light of Christ shine in/through me.
Therefor also on this day I need to start with Jesus dressing myself with His ‘clothes’ so that I am ready to meet the challenges of today.
“In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.”