"The Upright in Heart" (Ps 11)

In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain"? 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. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? (vs1-3)

God's character demands the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the righteous.  He can't deliver the righteous from wickedness without punishing the wicked, justly.  He will save the righteous, so He's our refuge.

First, righteousness is rewarded.  We read, "if the foundations (of judgment) be destroyed, what will the righteous do (vs3)?"  If righteousness isn't rewarded, then what's the hope of obedience?  If the wicked are not punished in their wickedness, then why choose righteousness? If God Himself allows evil to reign, it shows Him to be wicked, powerless, or unconcerned.  This can't be.  The Lord has promised to punish sin, revealed it in the cross, and declared thereby that only righteousness will be rewarded.


Secondly, the righteous have sure refuge!  Many may say to us, "flee as a bird to the mountain", as if we have no help and living scared and defeated is the option (vs1). But, we are protected, and therefore at peace.  Knowing we’re saved and have a guaranteed reward... knowing the Almighty is on our side... we rest amidst the wickedness of sinners, doing good by faith, knowing that God will vindicate us soon. We read, “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates” (vs4-5). We are like the pig who built the house of stone, or the worker who rises early, while his neighbor steals or begs.  We're assured it'll be positive in the end, so we don't waver because of the threats of sinners. We don't waver in the war within.


Thirdly, it will NOT be good to be wicked.  We read, “But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup” (vs5-6). They must be punished.  Just as righteousness is rewarded, and God pays us in the end, even so, wickedness is hated and soon to be burned in hell.  Defeat, frustration of purpose, and punishment eternal is the sorry inheritance of sinners who choose evil rather than good.


Satan will be punished, demons will be damned, and those who do wickedly will eternally join them in the lake of fire.

Finally, don't let the wicked scare you. Don't let thoughts of God not seeing or not delivering destroy your peace. We read, “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright” (vs7).  He is your refuge, He will save you, and obedience is the path of blessing.