SUNDAY PSALMS PART 3 OF 48 - PSALM 11

Not positive what kind of bird this is. It's in the South American section of Cincinnati Zoo's Wings of the World exhibit. Looking it up, my closest guess is a Guam Rail, but that guess might land in fowl territory.

1   In the Lord I put my trust;
    How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain"?
2   For look! The wicked bend their bow,
    They make ready their arrow on the string,
    That they may shoot secretly 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 eyelids test the sons of men.
5   The Lord tests the righteous,
    But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6   Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
    Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
    Shall be the portion of their cup.

7   For the Lord is righteous,
    He loves righteousness;
    His countenance beholds the upright.

Psalm 11:1-7, NKJV

Doesn't the first three verses of this Psalm sound like the society we live in? Actually, it fits in the world we live in. In many countries Christians are kicked out of their jobs, houses, families, and villages. In our country, we're supposed to be tolerant of 1) those who disagree with us including what is right and wrong and 2) the refusal of those who disagree with us to show us the same tolerance. Maybe not many are picking up bows and arrows to shoot at us, but they're picking up pen and Facebook post and discrimination lawsuits and the like.

I remember a cartoon Ken Ham shows. It shows two castles: The one on the left is labeled Humanism and is on the foundation of Evolution, with balloons floating with names like "abortion," and "homosexuality." The other castle is labeled Christianity and is on the foundation of Creationism. The Humanists have their cannon aimed at the foundation of Creationism and are shooting at it. The Christians are shooting their cannon at Humanism's balloons (as well as each other). Which strategy sounds better? And can you see why Psalm 11:3 makes me think of this picture?

However, if the first three verses of this Psalm reflect the current times, much more so the final four verses. God is in control. He tests (or allows to be tested) all men, including the righteous, But did you notice what the last line of verse 5 says about the wicked and those who love violence? Does it say that God hates them? Doesn't that contradict what we hear in John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9? One thing I learned in Old Testament survey: 

1. God loves and blesses the righteous and those who love Him.
2. God hates and punishes the wicked and those who despise Him.
3. God loves to forgive and be merciful to all who turn from sin to Him.

That first point is in agreement with the last verse of this Psalm.