The Threat of Man vs. The Throne of God (Psalm 11)

1. Read: Psalm 11

2. About the Text:

1) This is a Psalm of David.

2) It was written when his counselors advised him to flee Jerusalem from the threat of Absalom.

3) David records his attitude in this Psalm toward that advice.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. The rebellion of Absalom occurred over many years.

1) 2 Samuel 15:1-6 describes how he garnered loyalty from others.

2) 2 Samuel 15:7 says that it took about four years (ESV) for him to prepare.

3) No doubt, during this time, David’s counselors were warning him to flee.

4) It is not clear when David wrote this Psalm, but it was during that time.

2. David’s question at the beginning of this Psalm concerns these counselors.

1) They were telling him to “flee as a bird to your mountain.”

2) David was asking, “How can I do this when I trust in the Lord?”

3) When is it time to wait on the Lord and when is it time to act?

4) Those are the questions that David is struggling with.

3. The message of the counselors is found in verses 2-3.

1) The wicked bend their bow and make ready their arrow.

2) They desire to shoot secretly at the upright.

3) This describes exactly what Absalom was doing to David.

4) Their worry is, “If the foundations are destroyed, what will the righteous do?”

5) They thought that the “foundations” were David’s throne, court, and policies.

6) David believed in a different foundation.

4. How do we respond under the threat of man?

1) “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not” (Jeremiah 20:9).

2) The apostles in Acts 5:29, “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

3) “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:41-42).

4) Paul wrote, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

1. Regardless of what happens on earth, God still reigns.

1) The Lord is in His holy temple.

2) The Lord’s throne is in heaven.

3) God’s rule and power stands un-assailed by men.

4) “All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless” (Isaiah 40:17).

5) “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

6) He is unchanging – “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

7) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

2. God not only reigns, but He watches everyone and everything.

1) His eyes behold.

2) He tests the children of men.

3) “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

4) “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

5) “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28).

3. God tests the righteous.

1) “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

2) “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:3-4).

4. God will punish the wicked.

1) His soul hates those who love violence.

2) There are some things the Lord hates. “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren” (Pro.6:16-19).

3) He will rain coals of fire and brimstone on them.

4) “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

5) “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

1. Why does David express an inexhaustible confidence in God?

1) He knows Who God is.

2) God’s character is righteousness.

2. The Lord is righteous.

1) “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works” (Psalm 145:17).

2) “And I heard the angel of the waters saying: ‘You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things’… And I heard another from the altar saying, ‘Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.’” (Revelation 16:5, 7).

3. The Lord loves righteousness.

1) “He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord” (Psalm 33:5).

2) “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (Psalm 45:7, Hebrews 1:9).

4. He sees the upright.

1) “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 33:18).

2) “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

1. David’s confidence in God . . .

1) Overcomes the threat of man.

2) Knows the throne of the Lord.

3) Trusts the character of God.

2. Invitation