Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 3-109 Sunday 01 Jun 2003

Psalms on Sundays Reading: Psalm 11 – THE REFUGE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

Think of God as a searching, understanding pair of eyes. How do you feel? Thank God for his everlasting love.

A member of my old church in Watford had one of those cards on her mantelpiece which began: ‘God is the unseen guest at every meal,’ and I wondered whether that was meant to be a threat or a comfort. Again, an old symbol for God is a triangle or pyramid (signifying the Trinity) with a single eye in the middle. It avoids the danger of portraying God in white clothes and a long beard, but it isn’t exactly friendly. So how does this psalm envisage God?

Echoing the opening of Psalm 7, the first verse establishes a personal trust in the Lord before entering the territory of conflict so common in this run of psalms. Isaac Watts’ paraphrase of verse 3 brings out the central issue well: ‘If government be all destroy’d, (That firm foundation of our peace), And violence makes justice void, Where shall the righteous seek redress?’ Answer: the throne of God.

This is not to be imagined as remote, ‘up’ there in heaven, but something that feels more like a face-to-face encounter (vs 4,7). There will still be some delay, and this links in with the ‘how long?’ refrain of many of these early psalms, but could this be construed as God’s mercy as much as a call for patience?(2 Pet 3:9; James 5;7,8)

The first temptation the psalmist has to face is running away. Sometimes a temporary, physical retreat is necessary and Jesus himself often moved away from trouble. But, as in his life, ultimately evil is unavoidable. From facing temptation in the wilderness to his final trial and death, Jesus took a stand when it was necessary. He, like the psalmist, was confident of ultimate vindication.

In your life at the moment, where would it be prudent to back down, and where is it important to take an uncompromising stand?

– Roger Pooley

Copyright Scripture Union, 2003, Encounter with God

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