[Scripture: Psalms 11:1-7]
“When foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” It is an interesting question that King David raised when his enemies brought a lot of temptations to him. So, I want to share biblical wisdom that helps us keep God’s purpose in our life when our confidence is shaken and confused because of temptations.
The Story in Psalms 11
King Saul, who threatened David’s life numerous times, was one of David’s worst enemies. One day, King Saul called David to play harp for him, and suddenly, he threw a spear at him to try to pin David the wall. It was an unexpected attack. After that happened, David was in an urgent situation where he had to decide the best way to stay safe from Saul.
At that moment, many of his friends and other people advised him to flee to the mountains to hide. In other words, they urged him to run away from trouble. Even though it was well-meant and sounded reasonable, David refused to listen to them.
The right reason
Why did David refuse to listen to his friends’ suggestions? Because they were not aware of the spiritual reality behind the situation. They came to David with the proper intention but wrong motivation. David believed that running away to the mountains was not a perfect solution because he knew enemies would chase him again and again until they killed him. King Saul would never stop sending his troops after David. David wanted to live a peaceful life, but he couldn’t because of Saul.
David’s faith in God
In that situation, David’s best choice was to ask for God’s protection. It was his faith and prayer that kept him strong when he was in a time of temptation. In Psalms 27:1-3. “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”
This was his faith and spiritual attitude toward God. That attitude and action helped David develop his spiritual character, and He was able to become a spiritual giant.
The Spiritual Lesson for Contemporary Christians
Why did David suffer? Because King Saul was living near David and tried to attack him. In the same way, why do contemporary Christians experience a lot of hardships and temptations? Because evil is right there and working around us to damage the image of God in us. It is spiritual warfare.
The Apostle Paul described the spiritual dynamic in his life in Romans 7:21. “I want to do good, (but) evil is right there with me.” Paul identified that evil was right there and worked to mess up his spiritual life.
In Matthew 16:23, Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” The point of what Jesus said is that evil is working around us, but we cannot see it.
Nevertheless, I heard some Christians claim that Christians don’t have to worry about sin and evil too much because they have Jesus. I totally agree with it, but we should be aware of the tempter. He is still active “like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I have stories to share about why Christians should be aware of evil, which give an idea of how evil and temptations work around us. In the town where I was born and raised, there was a crazy dog. It tried to attack and hurt many people. People complained to the dog’s owner, so the owner kept the dog on a leash and tied it up to post around in his house. After that, the dog could not attack people again unless people tried to go into its territory.
I can make a theological framework with this story about how evil works among us. Before Jesus Christ came, Evil was going around everywhere to devour people like the dog, but Jesus Christ came on earth and tied evil to a pole as the dog owner did. Evil can’t reach people when they stay with Jesus. In him, you will be safe. But when we are tempted, the temptation leads us into the territory of evil, and the evil will get us. This is a danger of temptation.
The other danger of Temptations
In June 2020, a large tree fell down an inch away from our front porch. When Lisa and I heard a cracking sound, we thought that thunder striking somewhere. We never expected that the tree would fall down because it looked big and strong. However, when I came out to see why the big tree blew over, I saw the core of the tree was decayed. The outside of the tree looked good, green, and healthy, but the tree had rotted inside.
I wondered how a huge tree could become decayed inside, so I googled it. When a tree is damaged, water gets in and then fungi destroys the inside of the tree. It weakens the tree’s structural stability after a while, and it causes the tree to die.
The tree falling story illustrates a spiritual lesson about how temptations work in our spiritual life. One drop of water can’t make a tree rot, but multiple drops of water can make even a big tree fall down. In the same way, if you and I do not control each temptation and neglect the possibility of danger, it damages our entire lives.
Following Jesus Christ and his teaching is our best choice in any situation because he said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” In him, there is no place that evil can come in.
Practical ways to keep God’s teaching in our daily life
When temptations challenge your faith through negative thoughts and feelings, please do not accept them but drive them out from your heart in the name of Jesus. Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
The main point is response time.
First, taking immediate action against temptations is the best choice to keep us free from temptation and to protect our spiritual vitality.
Second, listen to your conscience and pray before you go to bed. Wash your heart, mind, and action with the blood of Jesus Christ everyday before you go to bed. This is an excellent spiritual discipline that keeps you protected from falling into temptation. It is the best way to be protected by Jesus Christ from evil temptation. It helps us stay out of trouble.
To stay in Jesus means to follow His teaching in every situation.
When David hid in cave, unfortunately, Saul got in the cave to take rest, but Saul could not see him. At that moment, who protected David? The cave or God? God blinded Saul and his soldiers’ eyes so that they not see David.
2021.07.25. Pastor Cloud Poy
@ Photo on Unsplash
