What Can the Righteous Do?

Psalm 11

"When the (moral) foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (11:3). 

Old folks generally decry the sorry state of the world, but, given the steady decline of courtesy and morality these days, it does seem that our culture is circling 'round the drain. (As an old friend of mine asks, “Why am I in this hand basket and where in hell are we going?”) What can I, an old back-bencher do? 

David's friends offered him the counsel of despair: "Flee like a bird to your mountain…” (11:1-3). Carolyn and I don't have a place in the mountains any more, but I can probably get a job in a coastal lighthouse, or backcountry fire-lookout tower and watch the world crash and burn. 

David supplies a deeper insight and a better part to play. He says that the Lord, through disorder, is "testing the righteous" (11:5). His stillness in the face of moral chaos is not a show of indifference, but a "test" of our mettle. When the moral foundations are broken up what will good people do? 

David answers, "(As for me) "I will take refuge in the Lord" (11:1). 

So I ask myself: Will I follow Jesus in faith and obedience and rely on him to bring me safely through (11:7)? Or, more's the loss and pity, will I follow the madding crowd?

David Roper

11.1.19