Psalm 11

Psalm 11 (NRSV)

1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me,
“Flee like a bird to the mountains;a
2 for look, 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 behold, his gaze examines humankind.
5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
and his soul hates the lover of violence.
6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur;
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.
[1]

Lord,
The missing word between verses 3 and 4 is “but.” “If the foundations are destroyed (BUT) the Lord is in his holy temple.” The foundations have not been destroyed and will not be destroyed because you are where you are supposed to be. You are God as you have always been God and always will be God. And you know what is happening in your world. You know and, according to your own wisdom, you will make things right.

I confess that some days it is hard to believe. Yesterday’s flyer from the Board of International Ministries listed the world’s “Biggest Issues”, human trafficking, 25 million refugees and 5 new cases of AIDS every minute.

The wars are terrible and more war is threatened. Iran is testing its ability to deliver weapons to Israel and Europe. Speaking of Iran, it seems that two of America's largest exports to Iran are cigarettes and bull sperm. What happens if we cut off the cigarettes? Do we impose a massive societal nicotine withdrawal? Is it a secret weapon to use? Cut back on the missiles or we will cut off your nicotine! And what will they do without our bull sperm?

Forgive me, I digress. This I believe with the poet:
You are righteous,
You love righteous deeds;
And the upright shall behold your face.
And you have a sense of humor.

Let it be so.

PERSONAL PRAYERS
Describe to God your personal faith in God through Christ.
Ask God to empower you to do “righteous deeds.”
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.

In Christ’s name,
Amen.



a Gk Syr Jerome Tg: Heb flee to your mountain, O bird
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.