Scripture Text
Psalm 11:3-7
Intro: In David's day the question was asked Psalm 11:3 “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” It is a fact that our nation’s foundations of God’s word, truth, morality, and the Christian faith are being undermined and destroyed. We look to the bible as we try to answer this question of what the righteous can do about keeping our foundations from being completely destroyed. Jesus promised us in Matthew 16:18b “the gates of Hell shall not prevail against His church.”
I.
We can remember who rules over all.
Psalm 11:4-7 (NLT) 4
But
the LORD
is in his holy Temple; the LORD
still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every
person on earth. 5
The
LORD
examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love
violence.
6
He
will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,
punishing them with scorching winds.
7
For
the righteous LORD
loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.
a. David contrast’s the problems on earth with the exalted position of the Lord in heaven. “What can the righteous do?” the fainthearted had asked (v. 3). David responded that the righteous can trust in the real Source of secure government—the Lord, whose throne is exalted in the heavens, in His holy temple, far from the dishonesty of the wicked. Because the Lord in His sovereignty rules over the earth, He sees and thoroughly investigates the activities of all mankind.
b. We are to remember God’s power and dominion over all as David did.
II. We can pray. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NLT) 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
a. We pray because we have been invited to by God Himself. We pray because we can’t solve our problems and we have questions that only God can answer. We have needs that only God can meet. That’s why we need to pray and open up to God. God has a wonderful plan to bless us, no tot harm us and give us a future and a hope.
III. We can surrender ourselves to God. Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
a. God wants us to present our bodies to Him as living sacrifices—daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal, and trusting him to guide us. We are also to be a holy sacrifice completely set apart for Him and dedicated to His service. Our bodies are what we have to offer. They enfold our emotions, mind, thoughts, attitudes, our desires, and our plans. Thus, the body represents the total person; it is the instrument by which all our service is given to God. Total surrender to God is our reasonable service.
b. We are not to be conformed to the world's standards. The key is to change the “mind,” the control center of one’s attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions. A mind dedicated to God’s truth will produce a life that can stand the test of time. We can resist the temptations of our culture by meditating on God’s truth, and letting the Holy Spirit guide and shape our thoughts and behaviors. As Our mind keeps on being transformed by God’s Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship, our mind is renewed, and our lifestyle is being transformed to God's will by the Spirit. As our minds are renewed by God's word, we will become more like Christ, then we will know what God wants and we will want to do it for it is good, pleasing to God, and perfect for us. Then we will be able to “prove by testing” that God’s will is— good, acceptable, and perfect for us and it will affect those around us.
Conclusion: There is much we who are righteous in Christ can do. It is time for us to wake up and begin to do these things listed above because our nation’s foundations are being destroyed. Our way of life as we know it is in the process of changing. We must fight the good fight of faith and continue steadfast in what we believe no matter what. We must get out and vote the bible this election.
Invitation: Because of these trying times, you need “Make your calling and election sure.” If you have never confessed your sins and called on Jesus to forgive you, now is the time. The return of Christ is very near, so don’t put off making sure of your salvation, time is short.
