What Do we Do When a Nation Crumbles?

July 15, 2016

 

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3)

That's the big question, isn't it? Like no other time in recent history, those of us who know the Lord are watching the rapid disintegration of our society. So, what do we do? In Psalm 11, David does not record all that we should do, but He reminds us of our foundational posture.

WE REMEMBER

God's answer to us through David is not to forget God but to put our gaze and hope on Him. Even amid a crumbling society, we must remember the truth about who God is and what He is doing and confidently rest in our Sovereign King.

GOD HAS NOT MOVED

"The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven." (Psalm 11:4)

It seems that God is absent or that His rule has left our country. But the reality is this: He is still on His throne. There is no panic in heaven. God has not lost control of His world. Although wicked men may have temporary effects, His ultimate plan will still be fulfilled.

GOD IS NOT BLIND

"His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates." (Psalm 11:4-5)

If you think that God is not watching and engaged, you would be mistaken. His eyes see and record everything that occurs. He is watching the movements of unrighteous, violent men and godly, righteous men.

GOD IS NOT INACTIVE

"Upon the wicked, He will rain snares; fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup." (Psalm 11:6)

God will bring perfectly righteous judgments upon evil men at the perfectly right time. Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Hussein (and every violent man that has ever sought to destroy what God has created) will be judged. They may have a reign of terror for a season, but where are they now?

This is one of the reasons we do not have to seek revenge ourselves, and we can forgive our enemies—even love them. Paul said, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19). God will take care of them in due season. This does not mean that we do not stand at times and do all the things God calls us to do. Quite the contrary. But it does mean that, underneath our actions, there is a quiet confidence in the ultimate outcome.

We may fret and worry about this, but God’s timetable is never off, and He is never inactive. He is never in a hurry, but He is always on time.

GOD LOVES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, AND HE IS ALL WE NEED EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY

"For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face." (Psalm 11:7)

In the midst of whatever may come, we can find and know Him, and He will give us all we need. David testified that his refuge was in the Lord—not in a place, a policy, other protectors, a plan, or a program. God is enough. Ask the persecuted Christians around the world if God is real and sufficient to them. You will discover that they know Him better than we do. They are forced to turn to Him and Him alone, and they discover a sweetness and power that few comfortable Christians can imagine.

There is a spiritual dynamic experienced, even through their suffering. They would not choose the way it has come, but they would not trade the richness of their relationship, for God is with them. They have found His face (which is always available to those who humbly seek Him), and nothing else really matters.

So what do we do as our nation crumbles? We must cry out for revival and awakening, for the rapid expansion of His kingdom. We must do everything a follower of Jesus is called to do daily. We must stand and speak out with Biblical convictions as God directs. We must be the best citizens, like Daniel, Nehemiah, and Esther.

But, in the midst of whatever may come, we rest in God’s sovereignty. We trust that He is working, and we join Him in His work as hard as we can as long as we can to prepare as many people for eternity as possible. We must remember this is not our ultimate home. It is our mission field for a season until we are translated to the Perfectly Righteous Kingdom that has no end.

 

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