A. Setting of the Psalm - vs. 2-3 1. Dangerous Times - The Enemy is on the Field - Vs. 2 2. Foundations are destroyed. Vs. 3 As in the time of the Judges. As in the time of Isaiah, and Jeremiah As in the time of Luther As in the time of… 1760-1840 - Men like John Wesley and Charles Finney fought hard against God’s Absolute Sovereignty in Metaphysics. 1860 - Unitarian Christians Refused to use God’s Law to condemn slavery. 1890 - Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t want the word “obey” in her marriage vows. 1920 - William Jennings Bryan fought hard for the graduated income tax and prohibition. And this is why we were killing babies in 1973, and ordaining homosexuals in 2007. When the foundations are destroyed, what will the righteous do?
B. One Suggestion - “Flee to the Mountain.” 1. Reactionary and fearful? 2. Legitimate flight? Matt. 10:17-23 a. This is not a total avoidance of risk. b. Our task is straight-forward: Endure to the End. c. Don’t worry about what you’re going to say when they drag you in front of the courts, if you are there for Christ. d. When things get a little too hot… there comes a time to get out of Dodge. Reason: Vs. 14-15 3. God has not given us a spirit of fear. Vs. 27, 28 2 Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. a. The Gospel is the Power of God. b. Love. 1 John 4:16-19 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19We love him, because he first loved us.” c. Sound Mind. Balanced. Rational. Careful. Wise.
C. In the Lord I Take Refuge. In the Lord I put my trust. Vs. 1 1. The Lord is in His Holy Temple, and His Throne is in Heaven. Vs. 3 2. He is omniscient. His eyes study each person… each person’s heart. Vs. 4 3. He is the perfect Judge. Vs. 5-6 a. He tests the righteous. b. He hates the wicked and will judge them with fire and brimstone. 4. He is Righteous. He loves righteousness. Vs. 7
D. Conclusion: Fear and Hope are both expectations. Fear - Expectation you will be hurt. Hope - Expectation you will be saved.
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