The Word Shared

I first heard those words in a sermon given by a Pentecostal preacher. The message was relevant then just as it is now....and here we are in 2004!! If I recall correctly, I heard it preached back in 1984. Further positive evidence that Gods Word still holds from generation to generation....from everlasting to everlasting!

"In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 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. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lords throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall reign snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright".

Obviously, the first rule of thumb here is that we trust in the Lord. Trust in anything else, and you my friend are doomed for failure. Trust in money, sex, alcohol, drugs,......any of that rubbish will lead to destruction. But we are told to trust in the Lord. At least the psalmist makes it plain who he trusts in as he states in verse 1: "In the Lord put I my trust". So confident he is in the Lord that he raises the question, why should my soul be afraid and fly away to some faraway mountain? Birds go to mountains for protection.....but if your trust is in the Lord, forget the mountain, trust in God! He IS your mountain!!

Verse 2 indicates that whatsoever evil conjures up, that shall they do. But talk about brazen, daring, and reckless. Look at who the target is: ".....that they may privily shoot at the UPRIGHT IN HEART". They do this because their mindset is exactly what verse 3 states: "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do"?

But they have overstepped their ground into actually thinking that they could ever stop the foundation of the righteous. Satan tried to liken himself to the most high God, ....and it cost him dearly! So these poor ignorant people, in their worldly foolish thinking, truly believe they can take out the foundation of the righteous. But the question they have raised perhaps should be addressed: "if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do"? (V3). Well, one suggestion might be 'run'. Without a foundation, a house cannot stand. If we live without Christ in our life, there is no support.

Christ is our foundation.....unmoveable, unshakeable, unstoppable. If you wish to destroy ones faith, you attack at the source.....the foundation. But why run when you don't have to KNOWING that God IS ABLE to do ANYTHING. And if the enemy is dealing with you.....trying to destroy you, your family, your job, your friend(s),.....whatever he is aiming at, take heart and remember what Moses told the Israelites as they were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharoahs army:

Verse 4 reveals just where the saints of God have their foundation.....it is described as being a "holy temple".....and within its sacred walls, the Lords throne is there ...."in heaven". This makes it most difficult in bringing down the saints of God.....so why bother trying? Well, do remember.....I did say brazen, daring, and reckless.

Verse 6, God has His game plan going.....best summed up by that phrase,".....and an horrible tempest". So why should our soul worry and be downcast......the Lord is at work on our behalf. Its His Battle. Don't try to play hero and fight His fight for Him. God can do just fine without our help!

Verse 7 says that the righteous shall be the beneficiaries of a multitude of blessings. Yes, I took a wee bit of liberty and paraphrased the verse, but that is essentially what happens. And in the final outcome, He shall hold us up! Wow! How awesome is that?!?!? Our support, our all-sufficiency, our all-in-all, our foundation! God is good all the time....and all the time, God is good! What a great foundation we have....praise God!!

"Father, teach us to continue to rely upon thee. Be our constant high-tower and protection in times of trouble. Forever shall we praise thee and bless thee. Manifest yourself to that one who needs a touch from you, that they may know of your love for them, and that they may come to know your precious Son. I ask this in Christ' name....Amen".