WHEN DOUBT COMES TO CALL
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Opening Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for always welcoming me into your presence, ready to receive my thanksgiving and praise, my confessions and concerns, my questions and doubts. Thank you that your Spirit even intercedes for me when I don’t know what to pray.
Read PSALM 11
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm 11
For the director of music. Of David.
1 In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
Reflect
What injustices in the world, or in your local community, do you feel most strongly about? How is God using you or others to bring justice and peace?This psalm opens with a clear statement of trust. It is a rebuke to the cynical voice pointing a way out (v. 1) and draws attention to powerlessness in the face of imminent danger (vv. 2, 3). Extending this voice of trust in verses 4–7, the psalmist explains why he still chooses to turn to God, despite his terrifying situation: God is on his throne, sees all things, hates violence, will punish those who are wicked, is righteous, loves justice, and will reveal himself to the upright.
Looking back over ancient and recent history, the death, fear, and pain caused by local and international conflict don’t go away. When I listened to the news on the radio this morning, I cried with anger, sorrow, and helplessness. Is God passive and emotionless when people get hurt? Why doesn’t he step in and stop wars? Why would he hate and punish people?
We have a choice: to turn to our own anger, cynicism, and finite ability to effect change, or to join the psalmist (vv. 4–7) by trusting in God’s justice and goodness. Instead of being passive, trusting God becomes active—an action we take to lead us forward.
Apply
Can you be a voice of hope and faith rather than despair and doubt? Who could you speak words of life and encouragement to this week?
Closing prayer
Father, please give those serving you in the hard places of the world courage to stand firm in the work to which you have called them.
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