Don’t see the audio player? Click here.
The FBI reports that since 1993, violent crimes in our country have been declining. Experts offer various reasons for the decline. Some say we have more and better police; more criminals are in prison; we have tougher gun laws; people are aging; or it is the economy — or some combination. Whatever the reasons, we hope crime stays low. We learn from Psalm 11 that in David’s day, crime was going up. Some advised the righteous to flee to the safety of a mountain — away from the violence — because the law and order had collapsed. The wicked were out to destroy the moral order that God has established. Since the unrighteous preferred anarchy to order, what could righteous people do but flee? In response, David argued that the fearful advisors had overlooked one important fact. He says, “The LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches and examines everyone closely — both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence and will punish the wicked. He will give them what they deserve, because the LORD loves justice. On the other hand, David encourages the righteous. He says those who choose to do the will of God will have full access to God. God will be with them in their adversity; He will maintain close communion with them; and He will bless them both here and hereafter. In other words, it pays to do the will of God.
