Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.

Flee or Stand Firm? How to Trust God When Life Collapses (Psalm 11)

• James Long

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Flee or Stand Firm? How to Trust God When Life Collapses (Psalm 11)

When fear rises and everything around you seems to fall apart, what should you do? In this episode on Psalm 11, we explore how to take refuge not in escape but in the unshakable reign of God, discovering how to stand firm when life’s foundations give way.

Episode Highlights

  • Why David refuses fear-based escape and instead clings to God’s sovereignty
  • How Psalm 11 addresses personal anxiety and cultural collapse
  • What it means to take refuge in God when the world feels unsafe
  • The promise that God sees, tests, and vindicates His people
  • Why delay in justice is not denial of justice
  • What it means that the upright will one day “behold His face”
  • How to cultivate moral courage and endurance in times of pressure

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ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James Long Jr, a special series from Lessons for Life. I'm James, and in each episode we will journey into the rich, honest and healing language of the Psalms to find hope, clarity and comfort for life's deepest struggles. Whether you're wrestling with anxiety, grief, anger or spiritual dryness, the Psalms offer us a path towards restoration and peace through God's Word. So, wherever you are right now, take a deep breath and let's enter into the heart of Scripture together. Back everyone. It's James Long. Do me a favor and grab your Bible and a journal, and we are going to be turning to Psalm 11. Psalm 11 is where we are going to begin our journey here today.

Speaker 1:

Psalm 11 offers hope and stability for those facing fear, injustice and collapse of societal or personal security. In a world where foundations are shaking, this psalm calls us to take refuge not in escape, but in the unshakable sovereignty of God. Well, let's begin with this section, when escape feels easier than endurance. Have you ever felt like running away from the stress, the pressure or the injustice that's all around you? Perhaps the fears are personal, rooted in the chaos of your life circumstances, or maybe it's the anxieties that are cultural, as you see the moral and spiritual foundations of society rapidly eroding. Psalm 11 speaks directly to that heart cry. David opens up the psalm with a defiant confession of trust In the Lord I take refuge verse 1. Yet immediately he's confronted by voices urging him to flee like a bird to the mountains. These are not enemies mocking his faith, but well-meaning friends urging self-preservation. Their logic is simple the wicked are armed and aiming from the shadows, and the foundations of law, morality and justice are being destroyed. What can the righteous do? Verse 3. That question still echoes today. What can you do when everything that once felt stable begins to collapse, when evil flourishes, when truth is scorned, when injustice goes unpunished? The psalm invites us to consider not only where we go when we're afraid, but in whom to take refuge. The Lord is still on the throne. Rather than answering with despair, david lifts his eyes above the chaos. The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord's throne is in heaven Verse four.

Speaker 1:

In times of upheaval, our instinct is often to fix our eyes on the threat, but David redirects his gaze to the transcendent reign of God. His sovereignty is not distant, but deeply engaged. His eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. This is not poetic detachment, it's pastoral wisdom. When you are tempted to spiral into anxiety or self-preservation, remember that God's throne is not vacant. He sees, he evaluates, he rules. And while his judgments may not come immediately, they are never unjust or delayed in vain. For the one who's suffering from anxiety, this verse is not just doctrine, it's oxygen. God is not blind to your pain or distracted by world events. He is the God who sees, tests and ultimately delivers, even when it feels like your world is unraveling. Heaven is not in chaos. God's justice will not sleep. David does not deny the severity of the threat.

Speaker 1:

The wicked do bend their bows and aim their arrows in secret Verse 2. Yet the wicked do bend their bows and aim their arrows in secret Verse 2. Evil often operates under the cover of darkness, whether it's systemic oppression, manipulative relationships or cultural lies that distort. But this psalm turns to a sobering reality. The wicked will not prevail.

Speaker 1:

The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence Verse 5. In biblical terms, testing is not cruelty, it's refinement. God tests his people not to destroy them, but to deepen and purify their trust. But for the wicked those who reject God's rule and harm others with deceit, violence or pride? The testing leads to judgment. Violence or pride? The testing leads to judgment. Let him rain coal on the wicked fire, and sulfur and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup Verse 6. This is not vindictive rage but a righteous retribution.

Speaker 1:

The imagery recalls Sodom and reminds us that God's justice, though delayed, is never denied. You may feel today like evil is winning, but Psalm 11 assures us God is neither asleep nor passive. His justice may not come in your timetable, but it will come in his. The righteous shall see his face. The psalm closes with this quiet, radiant promise. For the Lord is righteous, he loves righteous deeds. The upright shall behold his face, verse 7. That one phrase behold his face is the heartbeat of hope offered here In Hebrew. Thought to see God's face was the ultimate blessing. We see that in Numbers 6.25. It is our future hope and our present anchor In a world of deception and violence. God is righteous In a culture that prizes power over purity. God delights in uprightness, and for those who delight in Him not fleeing in fear but standing firm in faith there is an inheritance greater than any earthly safety the glory of God Himself.

Speaker 1:

Well, let's look at the doctrinal insights that we find from Psalm 11. First, we see sovereignty Even in chaos, god reigns from his heavenly throne verse 4. Second, we see divine justice. God will ultimately judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous verses 5 through 6. Then we see human testing. Trials are used by God to refine and prove his people verse 5. Next, we see the hope of glory. The faithful are promised the eternal joy of seeing God's face verse 7. And finally, we see moral clarity. God does not tolerate violence or wickedness. His holiness demands justice. So now let's take all of that doctrine and let's make it practical, practical theology for the struggling soul.

Speaker 1:

If you're walking through fear, injustice or deep cultural discouragement, let these truths shape your heart. When you feel like running, ask whether it's out of fear or in faith. God may call you to stay and stand. When you feel like evil is winning. Remember that delay is not denial. God's justice is certain. When society crumbles or institutions fail, rest in the truth that God's throne is still secure. When you feel exposed, remember that the God who tests you also covers and refines you. When darkness seems to obscure everything good, fix your hope on the promise that one day you will see his face.

Speaker 1:

Let's reflect and respond? Remember you could use your journal here. Stop the podcast if you need to. Number one when have you been tempted to flee or disengage because of fears or injustice? Number two what foundations in your life or culture feel like they're crumbling? Number three how does the image of God reigning from his throne reshape your perspective? Number four in what ways might God be testing and refining your faith in this season? Number five how can you respond to fear? Not with escape, but with faith. Respond to fear, not with escape, but with faith. Number six what are the places where you need to speak truth or act justly, even at personal risk? And number seven what does it look like for you to live with the hope of beholding his face today? Well, let's pray.

Speaker 1:

Father, thank you for revealing yourself through the power of your word. Lord Jesus, thank you for being the fulfillment of every promise and the anchor for every storm. Holy Spirit, guide us into deeper trust, lasting peace and transforming hope. Teach us to walk in the truth of this psalm today. In Christ's name, we pray Amen. Are you afraid today? Are you tempted to give in or give up? Psalm 11 reminds you that you're not without a refuge. You are not forgotten. You are not at the mercy of the wicked. If you want to learn more about us, join our free navigator level of Lessons for Life community at jameslongjrorg slash community for devotionals, meetups and training that will help you walk by faith, or explore one of our full memberships at jameslongjrorg slash. Sign up now for deeper coaching and content designed to help you grow in emotional, relational and spiritual wisdom. Remember this you are not abandoned. You are upheld by the God, whose throne cannot be shaken Until next time. Be blessed, take care.

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James Long, Jr.

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