A Theology of Prayer - Struggles in Prayer

Study 36

Text: Psalm 11

INTIMIDATING THREATS

Wickedness can take many forms. One of them is intimidation. If a person is easily frightened, then wickedness has won the day. The psalmist David faced such a threat on one occasion.

"In the Lord I put my trust,
'How can you say to my soul,
'Flee as a bird to your mountain?'"
Psalm 11:1

The wicked defied David. Would he stand his ground, or would he, like a fearful bird, flee to the mountains?

A FIRM TRUST IN GOD

The best answer to any kind of threat, over or covert, is to exercise faith in God. The soul must find courage and strength and say in defiance, "In the Lord I put my trust." A courageous faith is able to stare down the most intimidating wicked foe!

STARING AT WICKEDNESS IN THE FACE

Fleeing may bring temporary relief. However, it will not provide a permanent answer at all! Courage and faith enable the believer to stare at the wicked plots of the wicked and be unafraid.

"For look! The wicked bend their bow,
They make ready their arrow on the string,
That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart!"
Psalm 11:2

Some prefer ignorance! If there is no knowledge of what the wicked were doing, would that not be better?

The psalmist provides a better alternative. Face up to the fact that the wicked would do their best to harm people. There may be butterflies in the stomache at this knowledge initially, but trust in the Lord must prevail somehow!

LET FEAR DO ITS WORST

Fear can cause great anxiety to the soul. It can cause all sorts of anxious thoughts to flood the heart and mind. It can cause disturbing doubts to rise up.

"If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?"
Psalm 11:3

The best way to face fear is to let it do its worst against us! The heart, the mind, the very spirit will be assailed! What can the righteous do? The righteous can trust the Lord. The upright can triumph over the worse forms of intimidation by holding firmly to faith and trust in the Lord! Thus fear is defeated!

Let us not allow despair to seep in! Let fear do its worst. It cannot triumph over the spirit of the righteous who trusts in God!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~