Friday, December 24, 2010

Psalm 11

1 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.

Questions to consider:

  • In verse 1, what two sources of refuge are mentioned? Which one does David choose?
  • What is the target of the wicked? What does he hope to do?
  • What is the difference in God’s dealing with the wicked and the righteous?
  • How is God dealing with you now? Do you know why?
  • Can a man see God? How have you seen him recently?
Possibilities for prayer:

Do you actively take refuge in the Lord? What can (or does) that mean in our lives? In our prayers today, let’s seek refuge in God. Maybe that means turning over things we’ve been hanging onto that are not helpful or are not being dealt with in a helpful way, trusting God to (as we prayed yesterday) have victory or maybe that means asking God to be in some ways an actual physical space of refuge, or to provide that space. Let’s rest in God, our refuge, today.