We often zoom in close to the Word of God and fail to zoom out and consider the wider picture. Our Bible study or the preacher’s message is too often in PORTRAIT MODE.
It seems I have almost always read, studied, and meditated upon the Psalms in portrait mode, and I have found good treasure. However, WIDE-ANGLE or LANDSCAPE MODE doth reveal many an amazing truth and answers many a doubter’s questions. The order of the Psalms is not by accident, and I am amazed at how they build one upon another. Not long ago, I posted a few comments on Psalm 1-3: There are two ways in this life, the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. One leads to life; the other to destruction (Psalm 1). What specifically is the way of the righteous? The answer is in Psalm 2—the Messiah, and trust in Him. What, then, does that practically look like, to trust in the Messiah? The answer, Psalm 3. Such is the portfolio of landscape mode in your Bible study.
I find Psalm 10-13 also enlightening, specifically during these troubling times for our country and in view of the weak, weak state of our churches:
Why, Lord? Where are you God? Such are the questions of the DOUBTER in Psalm 10. And yet, he doesn’t complain to men, he takes his complaints and doubts to the LORD, a great privilege won for us by the intercession of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:15-16). Who better to complain to than the LORD? Who better to pour out our doubts and questions than to the LORD? Don’t be afraid or hesitant to do so my friends. And when you do, be prepared for a gentle rebuke. Be prepared for exhortation.
Psalm 11 is a subtle rebuke to the doubter of Psalm 10. It’s an exhortation for the one in despair because the wicked prosper and the righteous hide. Look, when the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Our foundations in this nation are demolished, my friends, and they may never be built back up again. What can we do? The answer to this question is NOTHING. WE can do nothing. However, we can and should REMEMBER. The answer to Psalm 11:3 and, therefore, to the despair of the doubter in Psalm 10 is 11:4-7. We might not be able to do anything about all this virus injustice and madness and the lockdowns of our civil liberties and the trampling of the rule of law and our federal and state constitutions. But, we can remember something very very important and find strength therein: “The LORD is in his holy temple” (11:4), and payday for the wicked is a comin’ (11:6). Perhaps we should concern ourselves more with remembering and resting in eternal truth than trying to do something in our own power to fix this mess.
The doubter is in despair (Psalm 10). The doubter is subtly rebuked and exhorted to remember what he knows to be true (Psalm 11). Then, such an one is fed a most precious promise, a soothing balm (Psalm 12). Look, when the vilest of men (like Anthony Fauci, Andrew Cuomo, Nancy Pelosi, NC Governor Roy Cooper, and all the whining media terrorists) are exalted in society, it is because the wicked walk on every side. The people are wicked and, therefore, the wicked rule over them and children are their oppressors. And yet, the LORD who sits in His holy temple PROMISES TO ARISE, to avenge the oppression of the righteous and the sighing of the needy. He will arise, for He said so; and He will put his people in safety when He renders payback. And here is the great promise: Unlike the lies, flatteries, and doublespeak of the Fauci’s, Cuomo’s, and Cooper’s of the world, “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). He will KEEP them, and He will PRESERVE them (Psalm 12:7). They will come to pass.
Then we come to Psalm 13, the great object lesson for us all. The Psalmist was in despair (10). He was rebuked and exhorted to remember (11). He was fed a precious promise (12), and now, HE HAS LEARNED HIS LESSON. The doubter of Psalm 10 is the doubter of Psalm 13. First, he asked WHY?. Now, he asks HOW LONG? And yet, as he carries on his complaint to the LORD, he suddenly pauses and changes course: Wait a minute! Hold up! Hey, “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart SHALL REJOICE in thy salvation. I WILL SING unto the LORD, because HE HATH DEALT BOUNTIFULLY with me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
How precious is a righteous man who is teachable and has learned a valuable lesson, one who can speak of his promised future as if it is already done! That, my friends, is true faith; and true faith often sails the sea of doubt.
And so, let us complain to the LORD, let us hear His subtle rebuke, let us remember His eternal truth, let us believe His promise, and let us learn our lesson and speak of His future kingdom as if it is already done.
You see, landscape mode makes for some nice prints in the Word of God! May you find encouragement in these words today. God still sits in His temple, and He will arise. Payday is a comin’, and so is the Kingdom.
