Devotional Portion: Psalm 11:4-5
The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
The psalmist answers the question he posed in the previous verse, “What can the righteous do?” There are no long explanations or argumentative studies to defend this, but only one answer, “The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven;” Probably, David might be mentioning the LORD’s temple on the earth (the tabernacle) and the LORD’s temple in heaven. The comfort of a saint in times of adversity is the presence of the LORD. In the old testament, the Tabernacle was a sacred place. But, in the new testament, we have the access to His presence anytime and can call Him Abba Father. Charles F. Stanley quoted, “We must remember that the shortest distance between our problems and their solutions is the distance between our knees and the floor.”
The prayer makes one strong to far the trials, helps to discern the situations and to defend our stand as directed by God. When we think of Jesus in the temple of heaven, we remember that He is praying for us. “What plots can men devise which Jesus will not discover? Satan has doubtless desired to have us, that he may sift us as wheat, but Jesus is in the temple praying for us, and how can our faith fail?” (Spurgeon)
Many fail in the life situations as they fail to put their trust upon the Lord. Trusting in God must be like an old man leaning onto to His walking cane. Just as they are inaccessible without the came, so must be a believer. Without God, we are inaccessible.
What does the LORD do in the heavens?
His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
He is watching all the actions, thoughts and talks of the sons of men. He sees us always, and that is the greatest confidence we have in the LORD. “My danger is not hiding from Him; he knows my extremity, and I may rest assured that He will not suffer me to perish while I rely alone on Him. Wherefore, then, should I take wings of a timid bird, and flee from the dangers which beset me?” (Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon).
He tests the righteous to purify them and refine them through afflictions. The afflictions are to make our roots deeper in Him and to show that He is in perfect control over our lives.
You don’t need to flee when facing trials, He beholds us and He will avenge the enemies.
Reflection: His eyes behold us, He will make our foot strong upon the rock.
