BIG IDEA:
OUR RESPONSE TO PERSONAL DANGER AND NATIONAL COMPROMISE MUST BE FAITH NOT EXPEDIENCY
Background:
Tied to Psalm 10
same context of wicked attacking the innocent in secret
same emphasis on the eyes of the Lord seeing both the righteous and the wicked
I. (:1-3) POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO PERSONAL DANGER AND NATIONAL COMPROMISE
A. The Reality of the Personal Danger ( :2)
“For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string,
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.”
B. The Rationalization for Giving Up — What’s the Use? (:3)
Can one man make a difference or even take a stand when the Nation has compromised?
“If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?”
C. The Response of Faith (:1a) — Take refuge in the Lord
“In the Lord I take refuge”
D. The Response of Expediency (:1b) — Run away
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abdicate your responsibility;
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try to protect yourself at all costs;
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follow the advice of worldly counselors
“How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain’”
II. (:4-6) FROM THE LORD’S PERSPECTIVE, THE WICKED NEVER POSE ANY DANGER
A. The Lord is Above it All (:4a)
The Righteous Lord Reigns from His Temple in Heaven
“The Lord is in His holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven”
B. The Lord Sees and Evaluates Everyone (:4b-5a)
“His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men;
The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked”
C. The Lord Will Execute Devastating Judgment (:5b-6)
“And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Upon the wicked He will rain snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.”
III. (:7) THE RIGHTEOUS HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR
A. “The Lord is Righteous”
B. The Lord “Loves Righteousness”
C. “The Upright will Behold His Face”