Psalm 11:5 - The LORD Tests The Righteous.
Psalm 11:5: The LORD Tests The Righteous.
Psalm 11:5 (NKJV) The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked
and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Psalm 11:5 (NIV) The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked
and those who love violence his soul hates.
INTRODUCTION
Psalm 11 is a psalm of trust. The title ascribes the psalm to
David. In the middle of the psalms of lament (see Ps. 9; 10; 12), this
psalm expresses great trust in the Almighty Lord. It is the context of
adversity that makes this psalm of trust all the more impressive. [Nelson
SB]
Psalm 11 The panic that launched this psalm was not David's but
that of his apparently well-meaning counselors. Their mood is panic,
but David's is peace. In view of David's attitude, this psalm can be
listed with the psalms of confidence (Pss 4, 16, 23, 27, 62, 125, 131).
[MacArthur SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Remember those weekly spelling tests in elementary school?
Every Friday you were to show that you'd learned the words you'd
received on Monday. Then there were the verb tests in high school
language class. The teacher wanted to see which conjugations you'd
mastered since he first introduced you to the patterns. Tests give
students a chance to show what they've learned. Tests in life serve the
same purpose. They provide the opportunity to show God, and
ourselves, what we understand about Him - about trusting Him, about turning
to Him when we're suffering, about finding joy in Him when life is
tough, about loving the Giver more than the gifts, and so on.
While God sustains us on our journey through life, He also
tests us. The way we respond to God's tests reveals our progress on
our spiritual pilgrimage. But you can prepare for those tests
beforehand by spending time with God in prayer and in His Word. Get to know
Him better and better. Then when the tests come - when life
situations prompt doubts about His goodness or power or love - you'll know
better; youll pass the test. [Being Still With God Every Day by Henry
Blackaby]
COMMENTARY
King David, in Psalm 11, asks a probing question millions of
people around the world would no doubt like to ask: "The foundations of
law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?" (verse 3,
NLT).
Even though we may be privileged to live in a nation ruled by
law and order, others have not been as fortunate. And as we see
world events unfolding, we realize our own security is not guaranteed.
If banks fail and jobs disappear and desperate men rampage in
the streets of our neighborhoods, what would we do? If criminals
come to our homes with guns and we couldn't call the police - what
would we do? If the foundations of law and order collapse, where would
we turn?
When some advised David to flee to the mountains and hide, he
rejected their advice and declared, "I trust in the LORD for protection
.... The LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from
heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.
The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked" (verses 1, 4-5,
NLT).
David trusted God for protection and received it, but we know
that many Christians have been martyred. In the book of Acts, Stephen
was full of the Holy Spirit - but he was stoned to death.
David, throughout his life, passionately sought the Lord. In
many extreme circumstances, he received protection and inspiration
from God. At times, he also received a rebuke and then forgiveness
for his sins. As we pray, we become engaged with the God who shows
his love and concern for us through Christ.
We may see miraculous answers of protection, but we may not.
God is sovereign, and he undertakes in ways beyond our
comprehension. Yet we are assured he will walk with us through the darkest
valleys.
David ends Psalm 11 with an affirmation of hope: "For the
righteous LORD loves justice. The virtuous will see his face" (verse 7,
NLT).
Father in heaven, I pray for the leaders of our nation, that
they will listen to you. Help them to make wise decisions. Defeat the
forces of evil. Help me to do my part to contribute to peace and
justice. [The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra]
All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all
the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great
First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of
trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with
weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies,
like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of
prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too
high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on
all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and
surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the
threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The
trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces,
and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the
genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy. Our Lord in His
infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His
people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which
faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious
faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been
like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well
if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm
hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is
a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and
snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the
cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls.
While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man,
it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can
be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it
causeth them to grow rich towards God. [Morning and Evening by Charles
H. Spurgeon]
SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS
"Except our sins, there is not such plenty of anything in all
the world as there is of troubles which come from sin, as one heavy
messenger came to Job after another. Since we are not in paradise, but in
the wilderness, we must look for one trouble after another. As a
bear came to David after a lion, and a giant after a bear, and a king
after a giant, and Philistines after a king, so, when believers have
fought with envy, they shall fight with infamy; when they have fought
with infamy, they shall fight with sickness; they shall be like a
labourer who is never out of work. Spurgeon quoting Henry Smith
[Classical SB]
God does not shield believers from difficult circumstances, but
he examines (or tests) both the righteous and the wicked. For some,
God's tests become a refining fire, while for others they become an
incinerator for destruction. Don't ignore or defy the tests and challenges
that come your way. Use them as opportunities for you to grow. [Life
Application SB]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
