A Path Through Chapter 11 - Taking Refuge in God

 

There's a path, let's follow it We're now clearly on this path, hasn't it been life-giving so far. Today we delve into chapter 11, it's short, but packed with so much!     We'll look at this chapter, starting with a really powerful song that's been on my playlist all week, don't skip through it, have a listen. I'm very excited for our guest speaker David Oliver to share with us. David is an author of many books, a speaker, businessman and someone who hears from the Lord. You'll find his talk part way through the path today, he gives us such a poetic and well-crafted overview of both the Psalms and this chapter all in one video. so lets... get on the path

Psalm 11  For the director of music. Of David.   In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me:     “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” 4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. 5 The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. 6 On the wicked he will rain     fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. 7 For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice;  the upright will see his face.

We'll begin the stroll down our path today by transporting ourselves to the throne. David expressed and celebrated this fact in verse 4 that the Lord is on his throne. This song by People and Songs called The Throne Room is an explosion of worship to get us started and focused on Him.

Once again we start reading on our path with David using the word refuge. Put another way that's where David puts his trust, in the Lord.  Where do you put your trust, where is your refuge? These are key questions to keep in our mind as we delve into chapter 11 together.  David had to find safety often as he was chased by his enemies, he knew the meaning of a refuge. Most if not all of you reading this and going on the path today don't need a physical refuge. You're probably not being pursued by an enemy, you're not trying to outrun a foe or wild animal. You won't be dwelling in a cave tonight either. So is that practical to us? When do we need to take refuge? When I think of the previous year of the lockdown and Covid situation, taking refuge and trust in Him has been at the top of the list. You and I haven't made it through this tumultuous time without knowing where the safe place is located.  Check out verse two, the wicked have their bows ready, the arrows are against the string and ready to shot. The enemy is against us, the plots and schemes of the devil are toward you and me. I remember reading a book many years ago now called 'The Three Battlegrounds' it highlighted the spiritual battle this is present in our mind, the church and the spiritual realm. It's real, you've probably experienced the battle recently, the need for the place of refuge and the the never-ending quest of putting your trust in the Lord.  While this is a scary beginning, just wait for the second half of this short psalm.

I've never been in a building where the foundations were crumbling, I've not endured an earthquake or bombing. I can only imagine how scary and terrifying it must be when a structure shakes or even falls. I do remember back in university I along with my friend Rob were part of a group on a weekend trip with Habitat for Humanity. It's a wonderful charity that builds houses all over the US for people who are in need. I was quite worried to go on the weekend as I'm not a builder. I can hardly nail a nail or screw in a screw and certainly can't climb up ladders to save my life. Anyway I agreed to go and on arrival found out that we weren't going to build, rather we were tasked with tearing down.  It was an extremely old and dilapidated house. After our crew were done deconstructing and clearing, the next group would come in and build a brand new house. It was a weird feeling to tear down, to rip out nails, boards, bricks and more. The house shook as we took axes to the walls and were quite frankly ruthless with the old house. Everything was being destroyed, I'm sure the foundations were shaking as the angst of many college students was taken out on the old home.  David asks the question. 'When the foundations are being destryoyed, what can the righteous do? When all is falling apart, when what has been built is seemingly or literally being destroyed what can the righteous do? We see the answer to this question later in our psalm.

Let's pause and hear this chapter sung, maybe a bit as David would have on stringed instruments. This is My Trust is in the Lord by Nathan C. George and Family.

Are you ready for an insightful, painting of words from our guest speaker today. You'll want to click below to hear David Oliver give us a great view of Psalm 11. Below this video you'll see a button which will take you to his website where you'll find books, a blog and bio.

David Oliver Website

When you look into a lake or the river it's often a murky view, you can't usually pick out fish swimming, or usually see the bottom. It's not a clear scene. Here in Overton at the Test River it's a different story. Looking over the bridge it's translucent waters reveal the fish, the stones at the bottom along with the little webbed feet of the ducks. You can see it all, it is a truly beautiful waterway, it's a clear view.                                               We see in verse 4 a clear picture and statement. 'The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord is on his heavenly throne'. We see throughout the Bible in Isaiah, Matthew, Hebrews and especially in the book of Revelation that the Lord is in a holy place; seated upon the throne as the King over all. This is so ultimately comforting that He is observing everyone and examining them. This means He sees you. The king is on the throne, he has billions of subjects yet knows each one.  As we hear later in Psalms God knows even the number of hairs on our head. He sees us in our troubles, throughout this covid pandemic which has ravaged the world and our everyday lives. He's seen it. He knows your struggle. He knew David's fight, and David knew where to turn. We too know where we can turn, and where to put our trust.

So what can the righteous do? David asked that question earlier as did we. We can turn to him, and see him upon his throne. To recognise him as the King means that is where our authority derives from, and the King is the one we worship. What can we do? We can trust in the Lord. We can read from Revelation that the winner of the battle is already determined. The victor in your battle has been declared. A great way to summarise the big picture of this chapter is much like we see in Revelation - Jesus Wins.  We see in the last verse that those who stay close will see his face. What a sight, to look into the face of the Lord. This is metaphorical, but even so it doesn't lose it's power, to see the Lord. This brings us to our final song today.

This worship song paints the picture of seeing the face of the Lord. Here is You're  Beautiful by Phil Wickham.

Dear Lord, We declare today that you are high above, you are the King upon the throne. We fall at your feet in adoration, in worship and stating that you a holy, righteous judge. Lord please save us from our enemies, keep us safe in our storms, be a refuge to us. Lord we desire to see your face, may your face shine upon us. Amen

A Path through Chapter 9 - Tell of His Wonderful Deeds

 

There's a path, let's follow it We've started our look at the hymn book of the Psalms. Today it's chapter nine, this chapter helps us to start and get a bigger perspective as much focus is on the nations. We continue on with the style of lament too as David once again finishes on a high note. We'll break down this chapter, have some songs together, and hear from our guest speaker. I'm really excited about the worship music on this week's path, including an original song by our guest speaker Rebecca Beese. She along with her husband Russ will be sharing their thoughts on the chapter. They used to live in Basingstoke and in the past few years moved to Witney to lead Witney Community Church. So let's...get on the path

Psalm 9 For the director of music. To the tune of 'The Death of The Son'.  A psalm of David 1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. 3 My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. 4 For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. 5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. 6 Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. 7 The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8 He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. 9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. 11 Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. 12 For he who avenges blood remembers;     he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted. 13 Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, 14 that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion,     and there rejoice in your salvation. 15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. 16 The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.[c] 17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. 18 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. 19 Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triumph;     let the nations be judged in your presence. 20 Strike them with terror, Lord; let the nations know they are only mortal.

Our Psalm today starts with praise, often they do. Let's start also with praise, let's Raise a Hallelujah with Jonathan David and Melissa Helser.

This week we're going to hear our guest speakers right from the top. Russ and Rebecca give both a helpful and interesting perspective on our chapter, and I think it will aid us all on the path to watch this first. Take it away Russ and Rebecca.

I will tell of your wonderful deeds. This little line that David writes is one that we can really put into action. Sometimes we might think and maybe even worry about how can we share the gospel, how can we be witnessess for Jesus. This is a way that you and I can speak of His love to others. We can tell of the wonderful deeds of God. How we was there for us, how he has blessed us, how He is faithful and probably much more. If you think a bit about it you'll recognise that He has done so much within you, even in these trying times of a last months of the virus/lockdown situations God hasn't stopped doing deeds for you. I've been personally so blessed by the stories of healing that I've heard. We've prayed for some in our church family over the last year and have seen God heal, protect and restore. His deeds are good, no, they are wonderful and they can be shared. Who can you share with even today?

We find early in this Psalm that David is writing again about his enemies. Why is he so often? How come he is seemingly asking God to deliver him day after day and chapter after chapter?  For one he had many enemies. He was a man with a high position (king) so likely many who were after that spot. There was Saul who was consistently trying to catch him, after him for death. There were the many who followed Saul who chased after him, he was a wanted man but not for wrong-doing. This idea goes back to our last the Psalm we looked at chapter 7. It was all about how David was imploring God to thwart his enemies because of false accusation. He hadn't done anything but was being falsely accused.  When we think of our enemy, public enemy number 1 by far is the Devil. He seeks whom he may devour, he is the accuser of the brethren the one who is a wolf in sheep's clothing. If the Lord is for us in all ways then the devil is against in all ways. His spread is seen as all around as we live in a fallen world, one where the evidence of the devil is (d) evil throughout our culture. We are sadly influenced by the devil too, we make poor choices, hurt others with our words/actions, act selfishly, and we sin. The list goes on and on of our vices but the grace of God goes on and on through the sacrifice of Jesus. More good news and reality of who God is can be found in verse 4. God sits enthroned as the righteous judge and as vs 7 states He reigns forevermore.

This leads us into our next song. It's one that was written by our guest speaker Rebecca Beese. It is about a God who reigns, this was a key point that David made all the time in the Psalms. Here the lyrics and the link is below.    You are God, God of all birth, You are Lord of creation You are king, king of all life And you shall reign You are God, God of the world  You are Lord of the nations You are king, king of all tribes, and you shall reign Over life, You shall reign Over death, You broke the chains All the earth, Shall proclaim You reign, You reign   You are God, God of the skies, You are Lord of the universe You are king, king of the heavens, And you shall reign   You are God, God of the deep, You are Lord of all things You are king, king over all, and You shall reign   In the dark, in the night, In the bright shining light You reign, You reign In despair, in the pain, In the joy and the gain You reign, You reign

Here's You Reign from Rebecca's album called 'The Stories So Far'

Thoughts on verse 9: A refuge for the oppressed. At times it feels like the words of the Bible that were written some thousands of years ago were just penned yesterday. It doesn't take a sleuth to see oppression in our world today. When I read this verse my mind goes to the thousands if not millions of refugees who are seeking a better life, who are journeying to somewhere for safety and security. There are families who are looking for a stronghold in times of trouble. It's hard, when you see the pictures of children especially who are living in squalid camps, or attempting to cross borders with their families seeking a better life, the heart breaks.  When I see these scenes played out online or the television it causes me to do two things. Firstly pray for these awful situations, ones that are especially bad now like Syria and Yemen. Secondly it causes me to reflect upon my own children and I'm thankful that they are where they are, in a safe, and positive environment, in a country that is not war torn or famine raged. We really do have so much to be thankful for.

Vs 11 - proclaim to the nations: In the set of verses once again David is using the words proclaim and tell. He started with these, to tell of His wonderful deeds. Now the instruction is to proclaim to the nations what God has done. Not just to our neighbour, family or friends but to the nations. It used to be that proclaiming to the nations meant going overseas, possibly sailing away never to return home again. There are of course people who give their life as a sacrifice of moving abroad, sharing the gospel for life in that place. Increasingly though to proclaim among the nations has become much more attainable for everyone.  The nations come to us, whether that be the UK or the US if you look around you'll likely see the nations on your doorstep. You've probably already realised this, that to go means across the street as much as across the world. With the internet, the far reaches of Facebook, YouTube  and other social outlets sharing the good news with the nations is quite feasible, from your own home. It has been such a joy to have our weekly ZoomGroup meetings at LifeSpring attended by Annie Crowe in Uganda and Della Robinson in New York. That kind of reach did not always exist, in fact it's likely that it's happened even more with the lockdown and dependancy on platforms like Zoom.

When we read the early part of the Psalms we so often see the struggle. in David's head. He so much wants justice upon his enemies, almost reminding God that they who do wrong deserve judgment. On the flip side he writes much about remembering that God is a God of love, hope and care. These two perspectives are usually entwined, and again in the closing verses to our Psalm this big idea is played out.  Vs 17 - The wicked go to the realm of the dead, Vs 18 - God will never forget the needy Vs 19 - Arise, Lord do not let the mortals triumph, let the nations be judged in your presence.  Let's remember as we come to a close that the goodness of the Lord is always present, that the judgment of the Lord is an expression of His love and goodness.  Our last song today is one that has been on my heart so much lately, it is truly a powerful song, an expression of all that God is, turn it up and worship.

I could hear David singing a song our ending song today. If you've haven't heard Travis Ryan he is so worth a look on Spotify or You Tube. Here to wrap up our time on the path today is 'The Goodness of the Lord' by Travis Ryan.

Lord, lead me, in the path of righteousness, in the path that is safe for myself and my family. Lead me Lord through the trial, tribulations and struggle of everyday. Lead me Lord when I'm unsure of where to go, when I'm afraid of when to go, when I'm unclear of how to go. Lord make the path straight, Amen.

This coming week we'll be looking at chapter 11 of the Psalms. Our guest is David Oliver who is a businessman, speaker and author of numerous books, we look forward to his thoughts on the chapter.