TGFABT – Psalm 11
“The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne.”
Psalm 11:4
Here is what I know:
Sometimes we should avoid trouble, sometimes we should face it but we should never fear because whether we flee or face it the Lord is in His Holy Temple, on His heavenly throne examining the righteous (4).
Faith in God keeps us from losing hope and helps us resist fear. God does not preserve believers from difficult circumstances, but tests both righteous and wicked. (NIV Commentary)
Examples of Testing
Abraham: sacrifice of Isaac
Genesis 22:1
The Israelites: changing bitter water to sweet.
Exodus 15:25
Israelites: concerning manna
Exodus 16:4
The Israelites: concerning the Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:20
David: After the return of the Ark of the Covenant
1 Chronicles 29:17
God’s purpose in testing
Psalm 66:10
For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
How do we know whether we are experiencing a test or trouble stirred up by our enemy? David asks a question we might also ask ourselves, “What can the righteous do?”
Our response should be the same whether our trouble is a test, or a something stirred by our enemy:
Live by faith
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Work out our salvation
Philippians 2:12-13
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
Trust God for Vengeance and Deliverance
Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Isaiah 43:13
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Stay the Course
James 1:2-4
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
Truth
“In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.”
Psalm 10:1a
Sometimes God wants me to flee. Sometimes He wants me to face it. All the time He wants me to remember He is with me.
Word Study
Psalm 11:1
“In the LORD I take refuge. ‘How then can you say to me: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain.’”
I love the word flee. The Hebrew word nuwd (nood) means to shake, waver, wander, move to and fro, flutter, show grief, have compassion on, shake.
My word today is: Don’t allow my enemies or the enemy have the satisfaction of seeing me shake, shutter, or show grief over the trial or testing I face. With a strong faith in and my Mighty God I don’t have to shake, shutter, or show grief. Victory is mine because He was and is victorious!!!
Thankful
I am VERY thankful this sign is being removed from my yard. YES!!!!!! We signed a contract on a one-year lease with option to purchase. We must be out by April 30th. Wow, do we have a lot of work to do.
Faith Stretching/Strengthening
My way is not the only way.
Psalm 19
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. Daniel 2:20-22
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
Love the video message this week. And I love the very first verse of Psalm 11: In the Lord I take refuge. He is faithful and Sovereign and can be trusted in all situations and circumstances. So blessed!!!!
Good Morning, Ladies! I took a little break last week from our study; we had my husband’s family in town and it was very busy. I missed doing the study and so I am glad to get back to it. I loved the message today, especially realizing that sometimes we are called to face our troubles, to not always flee. I enjoyed how Wendy pointed out that regardless of the type of situation we are in, our response is always the same. I loved how she gave us “step-by-step” instructions on how we should respond in difficult situations. Sometimes in a hard time, I can forget to call upon my Lord to help me because I am so focused on fixing the problem. The next time I find myself in a difficult circumstance I will remember to live by faith, work out my salvation, rely on God for deliverance and vengeance and stay the course. Have a wonderful day everyone!
I have to say WOW to this message! I keep being reminded by the statement that GOD IS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES in every situation that I face. I think Wendy helped drive that home for me today! When to leave a situation and when to stay is up to God and I need to listen to him from his throne! Thank you for this lesson today.
I too was lax last week n my studies. It was a very busy week for me as Mother’s Day is the busiest week in the floral world. I’m sure hope you all were able to enjoy your special day knowing how special you are to your families.
In times of trouble we are faced with the “flight or fright” syndrome. Sometimes our fear is such or our faith is so shallow that our first response is to run. Then after we deem it safe to return we find out that if we had only prayed and listened to our heart that it wasn’t a big deal after all. Then of course there are those really dark times when simply getting out of bed is all we can do. But In my experiences I have found if I stay true to the Lord “this too will pass”.
Praise Him, Trust Him!
I am still pondering her thought that though David’s life was filled with fleeing and facing and his life had little peace David had peace in his heart Through this peace he has left the book of Psalm for so many to read, enjoy and find the peace and comfort he experienced in Christ. It is not for us to know why we are persevering through our current troubles but it is for us to trust in our God.
Love this Karen!!
Truth is that I have to admit that I do not always seek God FIRST as my refuge in times of struggles. Need to focus more on doing so.
I totally agree with Vicki’s Truth. I too forget to turn to God when troubled. However I rarely forget to thank him when good things happen. Why is that when I need him the most? Must explore further.
My truth is the reminder that trials grow and mature us!
Word study Wednesday- I looked at definition for refuge again : condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger or trouble. How often we are reminded in God’s Word to seek our refuge in Him! Love your comments ladies! And love studying right along with you!
Word Wednesday brings me to stinkin thinkin which I hear so many times during my prayer walk. I need to do less of that during my self pity parties and take REFUGE IN GOD’S love and not TURN AWAY. I am rethinking over and over how often I miss taking advantage of HIS unconditional love for me. I forget to thank HIM for helping through life’s trials even when I don’t always thank him for all he has done for me.
Word Wednesday…my refuge is not a place but with family and friends and of course God when I remember to reach out to him. I so need to go to him first. I too will work on this!
Truth Tuesday – In difficult circumstances I have 2 choices, flee it or face it. Neither one, however, always for fear. God is always with me, I have nothing to fear.
Word Study Wednesday – The word study was so powerful to me tonight. Yes, sometimes we are called to flee a situation but other times I need to face it. Be strong and don’t let Satan have the satisfaction of seeing me shake or waver or show fear over my circumstances. With God’s help, I am stronger than that! What a wonderful reminder!
I am thankful that I am not too old to learn how to take refuge in God! I am also thankful for my wonderful husband who is also my real estate agent as he has handled the sale of my dad’s home. We should close around 5/21. The final stages of details that needed buttoned up after my dad’s passing. Now I am left with memories:)
There are times lately ha I really want to flee and I feel very inadequate to face things in my life. Going back to last week I need to remember that God is never far away and I can always depend on him for the wisdom and strength I need.
The truth is that it is not about me.