David’s confidence was God, even in the face of danger and doubters who challenged his faith with the following discouragement, “Flee like a bird to your mountain,…………if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” They tempted him to toss aside his faith in God and save himself. While David focuses his attention on God, he does not ignore the problem at his door. Remember, God does not expect us to overlook the real dangers and troubles we face in this life. He does not encourage us to walk around with blinders as if they do not exist. Much like putting duct tape over the “check engine” flashing light in our car, it is foolish to ignore the reality of the troubles that enter our lives uninvited. Our problem will remain nonetheless whether we choose to acknowledge them or not.
The Bible teaches that God administrates both prosperity and adversity in our lives (Ecc 7:14). God is not concerned that problems exist, but rather our response to it. Like David, we fix our eyes on God in the midst of life’s storms. Why? The answer to our earthly concerns is with God who is higher than our problems. The real question as far as David was concerned was not, “What can the righteous do?” But rather, “Who is God and what will HE do?” In confidence, David highlights the following of God:
God’s throne is over the earth. Whenever I face a challenging season of life, my father often asks me this question, “Son, did God leave the throne when you began to face problems or during your hardship?” I quietly answer with “no.” Then he responds, “Then praise God in the storm Son! For your hope and future is secure in the sovereign rule of our Lord! Hallelujah!” (cf. Acts 16:25). I admit, my first instinct is not to praise God when I am going through something, but my Dad is right. This is David’s focus as well as he looks up to God and declares, “The Lord is in this holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;.” How is God involved in heaven? He sees all. He searches and tests the heart of men (cf. Jer 17:10). Further, God uses trial to refine (sanctify) the hearts of his people, thus David says, “The Lord tests the righteous…” For example, in order to achieve the desired shape of silver, it must be pounded by a hammer and placed in scalding heat at the same time. Our faith is grown in a similar fashion that it may shine to the glory of God. It must be put under pressure that it may mature according to God’s design. This is what Peter has in mind when speaking to the purpose of trial, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pt 1:6-7). God’s will is still working for our good even in the midst of danger. He never takes his hands off the wheel of our lives. Never.
The wicked inherit God’s judgement. David’s maturity in faith led him to look up to God, fully understanding that God opposed the unrighteous and the violence they delighted in. He likens their judgement to that of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19) which was sudden and swift, thus he prays to God, “Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.” It was only by his fixed attention on God in his situation could David see their future. It is the same conclusion Asaph came to when he found himself in a similar predicament. To concentrate only on the danger in front of him was burdensome to him, but that all changed when he looked up to God, “But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, (17) until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end” (Ps 73:16-17).
When we trust in God and seek his face, he will give us eyes to see and heart to receive the bigger picture he has planned for our lives. The key is, we can’t look in two directions at one time. At some point in the midst of trial, we must turn our attention away from it unto God. Then with confidence, we can join David in worship of God, “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com