What Can the Righteous Do?

In the LORD I put my trust;
  How can you say to my soul,

"Flee as a bird to your mountain,
  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.
If the foundations are destroyed,
  What can the righteous do?"

The LORD is in His Holy temple,
  The LORD’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold,
  His eyelids test the sons of men.

(Psalm 11:1-4)

Here are two guys. One is becoming unhinged, the other is unflappable. One thinks this is all about what the righteous can do, the other recognizes that this is all about God. One thinks the foundations have been destroyed, the other knows that Yahweh is the foundation, and He has not budged on inch — never has, never will.

There is never a need for hiding in fear. The need is for walking in faith. God has not given us the spirit of fear, as Paul told Timothy, but of power, love and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Faith and fear are opposed to each other. The result is that faith mixed with fear is severely compromised.

The LORD in His temple. He is seated on His throne. A throne is a place for ruling and reigning. In other words, God is still in charge. You knew that already, and you probably already knew that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, far above all principality, power, might and dominion. That’s what Paul said in Ephesians 1:20-21.

But did you know that, if you have received the Lord Jesus Christ, you are seated with Him in the heavenlies as well. That’s what Paul said in Ephesians 2:6. In other words, you also are enthroned in the heavenlies with the Father and the Son, far above all principality, power, might and dominion.

So what can the righteous do?

• First, get the kingdom perspective, and make it your priority. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Keep your eye on God and trust in Him, and everything will be taken care of.
• Second, remember where you are seated (Ephesians 2:6).
• Third, learn what the Lord’s Prayer means when is says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” You see, as a Christian, you are an agent of the kingdom of God. You can call the kingdom forth on earth (“Your kingdom come” is in the imperative). You can call for the will of God to be done on earth just as it is done in heaven (“Your will be done” is also in the imperative). So look and see what the will of God is like in heaven, and call for it to be done on the earth.

Q: What can the righteous do? A: The LORD reigns.