A man begins to become suspicious at work. Coworkers who were previously jovial and friendly seem to be pulling back, and he can't get an appointment to meet with his boss. He wonders what is happening. Over a few days of this, he begins to worry that he did something wrong and that his job may be on the line. Finally, he gets that appointment with his boss. He is told to meet his boss at 2pm in the conference room. At that time, as he makes his way to the room, coworkers won't meet his gaze. He doesn't realize that many of his coworkers are not even there. Overcome with anxiety, he reaches out to open the doors to the conference room. He steps through them...and into a surprise party to celebrate the promotion he is being given!
Our perception is not always our reality.
In Psalm 11, the writer declares that he takes refuge in the LORD. His peace and security are in God. Yet, to those around him, this sounds like a foolish claim. They do not see a successful man. They do not witness a life worth celebrating. Instead, they see a man attacked by his enemies, beaten down, and struggling (2-3).
In their eyes, the writer has nothing to celebrate. He has no perspective or perception from which he should give praise to the LORD.
But the psalmist knows differently. He knows that the immediate circumstances he finds himself in (the problems, the attacks) are not his ultimate reality. Because he trusts in God, he depends on God, and he knows that God rules over his reality, no matter how things appear moment-to-moment (day-to-day, year-to-year, etc.).
"The LORD is in his holy temple; / the LORD is on his heavenly throne. / He observes everyone on earth; / his eyes examine them." (4)
Because of this belief, he trusts God. He believes that God will lead him into the life God is calling him into. He knows that his enemies will be dealt with, and he does not need to waste his anxiety or worry on them.
He knows his reality: "The LORD is righteous, / he loves justice; / the upright will see face." (7) This same reality is ours.
How do you process life events? How do you trust God during difficult times?
Our perception is not always our reality.
In Psalm 11, the writer declares that he takes refuge in the LORD. His peace and security are in God. Yet, to those around him, this sounds like a foolish claim. They do not see a successful man. They do not witness a life worth celebrating. Instead, they see a man attacked by his enemies, beaten down, and struggling (2-3).
In their eyes, the writer has nothing to celebrate. He has no perspective or perception from which he should give praise to the LORD.
But the psalmist knows differently. He knows that the immediate circumstances he finds himself in (the problems, the attacks) are not his ultimate reality. Because he trusts in God, he depends on God, and he knows that God rules over his reality, no matter how things appear moment-to-moment (day-to-day, year-to-year, etc.).
"The LORD is in his holy temple; / the LORD is on his heavenly throne. / He observes everyone on earth; / his eyes examine them." (4)
Because of this belief, he trusts God. He believes that God will lead him into the life God is calling him into. He knows that his enemies will be dealt with, and he does not need to waste his anxiety or worry on them.
He knows his reality: "The LORD is righteous, / he loves justice; / the upright will see face." (7) This same reality is ours.
How do you process life events? How do you trust God during difficult times?
