How to Respond When the Foundations of Your Life are Undermined

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When Foundations Seem to Crumble

When the foundation of moral goodness seems like it's crumbling around us, how should we respond? Some of us may try to fight for what's right. Others look for ways to avoid it all.

I'm reminded of the anti-war protests of the '60s. Rallies full of emotion and rhetoric formed at military induction centers and college campuses. Some protestors went to jail, while others fled the country to protest what they saw as an unjust war.

But there's another option to the classic fight or flight reaction.

It requires faith. Not a blind or naive faith, but a settled trust in God.

When we react to a situation, we respond to what is immediate. We respond based on previous experiences and who we are in our core being. This is natural and expected.

Only when we are settled in our heart and mind how we will respond to a crisis, will we avoid knee-jerk reactions. This is what we see of King David in this psalm.

Scripture

For the choir director; by David.

I have taken refuge in the Lord.

How can you say to me: “Flee to your mountain like a bird?

Wicked people bend their bows.

They set their arrows against the strings to shoot in the dark at people whose motives are decent.

When the foundations ⌞of life⌟ are undermined, what can a righteous person do?”

The Lord is in his holy temple.

The Lord’s throne is in heaven.

His eyes see. They examine Adam’s descendants.

The Lord tests righteous people...

The Lord is righteous.

He loves a righteous way of life. Decent [upright] people will see his face.

(Psalm 11:1-3, 5,7 GW) [Context– Psalm 11]

Reflections and Insights

We've all endured difficult times in life. Some situations seem so hard and hopeless we wish we could fly off somewhere to get away from it all.

How do things get that way? What causes these circumstances?

More often than not, it's connected to relationships—marriage, family dynamics, friendships, even work-related conflicts. At times, the proverbial "between a rock and a hard place" situations have a larger scope.

Millions of refugees throughout the world understand a harsher side of the “rock and hard place” conflict. They didn't cause their dilemma, nor do they have control over it. They're faced with an untenable decision—do they stay or do they flee?

There are times when fleeing is the right choice.

But, there are also times we need to stand firm in our trust in the Lord.

King David begins this psalm with a declaration of his trust in the Lord—

I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me: “Flee to your mountain like a bird?

What is David’s declaration based on? It’s based on his relationship with the Lord. His experience of trusting in the Lord in previous times of conflict and danger.

David didn’t react to his immediate situation. He saw beyond it with his faith in the Lord. He understood his circumstances were temporary.

David knew the Lord would show him favor because David took refuge in the Lord as his first option.

The Lord loves truth, goodness, and justice more than any one person. He also knows how to keep and protect those who trust in Him above all else.

When you are settled in your heart and mind to trust the Lord in the midst of all circumstances and conflicts, you will be able to stand firm and not flee.

The Lord honors those who trust in Him in a genuine way.

Digging deeper to make it personal...

Review the Scriptures above as you consider the following questions

• What does the psalmist declare to those who tell him to fly away?

• What is the dilemma expressed that good and honest people must answer?

• What two contrasting thoughts are given as assurance in the second half of this psalm?

• What simple truth brings assurance, even when wickedness appears to dominate good?

• How confident are you that God is greater than all the trouble that exists in the world?

• What is your tendency when feeling trapped by circumstances—to fly away or stand firm?

• Are you willing to trust God with judgment for wrong, when you are wronged?

• What situation or circumstance do you need to trust God with more than you are at present?

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