Pondering on Psalm 11:1-5, the imagery is of a man made afraid, ready to flee to safety because of the fear of the impending attack of the enemy. Amid this he questions himself, why am I running when my Father, my God is in His temple? Perhaps you are in such a situation.

Let the lyrics of these songs come to mind:

1. Why should I be discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely…when Jesus is my portion, My constant friend is He
2. God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own, His promise is true, His word is forever, God is still on the throne!

In verse 5, note that the situation is just a test of the righteous, for the Lord loves righteousness and His fire will consume the wicked! His fire and brimstone will be the portion of their cup. They will drink until they are consumed.

What do these mean at the individual level?

“The psalmist asked, ‘When the foundations for good collapse, what can good people do?’ (v. 3 NCV). Then he goes on to answer his own question: ‘The LORD sits on his throne in heaven.’ When sickness comes, when your marriage fails, when your children suffer, when death strikes, what are you to do? Remember that God is still on the throne, and He is watching over you. No detail escapes His notice or care. He works according to a plan, and it’s not usually a plan we can understand when we’re going through hard times. Only by looking back do we realise that His goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives (see Psalm 23:6). Joseph landed in prison. Moses spent forty years in the desert. Daniel ended up in chains. These were dismal moments. Who could possibly have seen any good in them? Who could have known that Joseph the prisoner was only a single promotion away from becoming Joseph the prime minister? Who would have thought God was providing Moses forty years of wilderness training in the same desert through which he would lead the people? Who would have imagined that Daniel the captive would soon become the king’s counsellor? God carries out His plans like that. He did it for Joseph, Moses, and Daniel – and He will do the same for you – so trust Him. He will give you the grace you need to get through this situation. When you ask, ‘God, where are you?’ He answers, ‘I am with you and will watch over you…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you’ (Genesis 28:15 NIV).” —Taken from Word For Today

O tested and tried soul; the Lord is working something out in your life…patiently follow step by step until you see it. Your prayer should be, Lord, Your counsel alone will I heed, only grant me the discernment that I may hear You in the midst of all the noise in the city (Isa. 66:5-8), You will speak from Your temple. Selah.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele