Growing in Faith in the Psalmsનમૂનો

Psalm 11: Big Decisions

“In the Lord I take refuge...”

Psalm 11:1 NIV

When David wrote this Psalm, he was facing a big decision—a life-and-death decision. Does he stay or go? Does he stay put or run? What should he do? Verses one through three contain the Psalmist's musings about his conversations with trusted friends. They told him to flee, but he thought differently.

Staying put would put him in danger, but he would still have his home, his friends, and everything for which he had achieved. Leaving would be the safer option, but he would be on the run, hiding in caves and forfeiting all he had obtained.

Many historians believe David’s conversation with his friends and the dangerous situation he found himself in occurred when he was a young man and served in King Saul's royal court. David achieved this status due to his military successes and his popularity with the people of Israel. The King eventually becomes jealous of David’s growing fame and decides to kill him. The story begins to unfold in 1 Samuel 18.

This Psalm is a Psalm of Big Decisions. Should I, or shouldn’t I? Do I, or don’t I? Do I take the job or not? Do we move to another city or not? Which school should I attend? Which church do I attend? Do I stay or do I go? When we have decisions to make, talking to the right person can make all the difference in the world.

David gives us the key to knowing God’s will for the big decisions. This powerful key would guide him for the remainder of his life. He says, "In the Lord I take refuge.” Simple yet profound, this statement contains the key that led him in his decision-making.

In the Lord I take refuge is a poetic way of saying, “I trust the Lord with my life. He is the one I go to when I have to make a major decision. I believe He will guide me as I seek Him. I place my faith in Him.”

Years ago, I heard an evangelist from England preach a message entitled “Sent + Went = Put.” It was a message about knowing and following the will of God. He referenced Apostle Paul’s journey as he traveled from city to city as recorded in the book of Acts. On occasion, Paul felt restricted from traveling to another city. On other occasions, he felt compelled to go. The Apostle Paul did as David did. He sought the Lord for guidance. The English preacher taught us to pursue the Lord in every decision. We should stay in obedience to what the Lord had previously instructed us to do until He clearly instructed us to do differently.

The best and safest approach to the decision-making process is to obtain a perspective higher than our own. We need the perspective of the One who loves us and is seated on His heavenly throne. From His height, He can see what is best for us. His view includes every detail, issue, danger, possibility, and potential.

We can trust His perspective because He has a perfect 20/20 vision of our past, present, and future. Therefore, let us take refuge in Him. Let us spend time in His presence reading the Scriptures and worshipping Him in song. When adversity, tough decisions, or opportunities come our way, the ears of our soul will already be sensitive to the sound of His voice. When He says go, we go. When He says stay, we stay put.

David finishes this Psalm with these words, “…the upright will see his face.” Within these words is a principle he learned when he served in King Saul’s royal court. Due to his status as a military leader, he was present in the royal court on many occasions. He observed moments when men would seek the king’s guidance. When an appointment was granted, these men appeared before the king and presented their situation. David watched and listened to the king respond with guidance to these men. This daily protocol taught David a principle: appear before THE King and seek His wisdom. David transferred this principle into his relationship with the Lord. He writes, “For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.” (Psalm 11:7 NIV). As a Christ-follower, you have been granted the permission and privilege to appear before the King of Kings. (Hebrews 4:16 NIV) states, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

When you must make a decision that requires wisdom beyond your own, consider praying this prayer: “Lord, I come before you today seeking your guidance. Please help me to know the sound of your voice in my soul, the nudges of your Spirit, and your thoughts in mine. I trust you more than I trust myself. I trust your wisdom more than I trust my own. Help me to know your instruction, for what you say is righteous and just. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray this prayer of faith and surrender. Amen.”

Lastly, consider reading and meditating on Proverbs 3:5-6 and 2 Corinthians 2:14. The Lord genuinely wants to lead you triumphantly as you lean upon Him for every decision you present to Him.