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June 2011 DevotionalConvincing Argument?
This is just one of the arguments given to David in an apparent goal by his friends to convince him to flee. We’re not sure if this was the occasion when Saul was after him or later when his son, Absolom, led in a coup attempt. David begins with the confident statement: “In the Lord put I my trust” (v.1) For this reason he is prone to ask, “How say ye to my soul...?” Three arguments were spoken. The first meant “run for the hills” when he said, “Flee as a bird to your mountain.” In verse two the next argument was, For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. This meant that “danger was imminent.” He was a target, and the aim was to kill him. The last argument by his friends was, If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (verse 3). This was perhaps the strongest argument of all. The “foundations” were those things upon which a society rests. It is the truths that sustain a society. If this referred to Absalom, David’s government was suddenly being overthrown by deceit and empty promises to his people. If this referred to Saul, the government, led by the madman, Saul, was in pursuit of the innocent David. In either case truth had been turned upside down. Lies were being told and believed. The principles of truth and righteousness is what upholds a society. If you take these away the society will start to crumble and ultimately collapse. When truth is no longer respected society is in trouble. When justice is no longer practiced society is in decay. When fraud and violence take the place of honesty and honor, trust is lost in society. When character and virtue ceases, society has lost its security. David’s friends make a strong case. What can the righteous do except flee? We have a number of foundational truths that have seriously been eroded or lost altogether as a society. These truths include:
David’s friends undoubtedly meant well when they told him to run, to remove himself from being a target, and to be convinced that truth had been lost. But David was not convinced. David’s responses are seen in verses 4-7. We summarize them as follows:
Sometimes the tendency is for the righteous to look around at the world and think like David’s counselors—“It’s over.” Many times I have personally felt like taking my family and hiding away in a cabin up north somewhere. It seems like wickedness prevails. We must remember as David did, however—God is on the Throne of Heaven. He knows all. He will Judge in His time. We are called to be faithful. If we do not flee or give up, perhaps God will use our witness and testimony to change the tide. Dear reader, perhaps you are deceived. God is not mocked. It may seem to you as though nothing matters except what you get out of life personally. But the Righteous Judge has already declared that sin will seemingly prevail. He already declared that the righteous will be persecuted. One day He will return to turn things right side up again. He will judge as this Psalm says, “He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest”. Will you turn to the Lord and seek Him? He has provided forgiveness for your sin through His merciful gift of His Son who died on the Cross. Pastor Dan Stertz |
"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psa 11:3)
We come back to David’s opening statement. “In the Lord put I my trust.” That is why David could not accept the counsel. The counsel appeared to say, “Give up, David. It’s over.” But David’s response was, “Not as long as God is still in control.”