By: Obed Pineda
Foundation is defined as “an underlying base or support, especially: the whole masonry substructure of a building” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). Keeping this in mind, the Bible states:
“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?” (Psalm 11:1-3)
Scholars of biblical history agree that David most likely came to write this psalm shortly after King Saul began to distrust him, suspecting that David’s intentions were to take away the kingdom of Israel (cf. 1st Samuel 18:5-16). In the early stage of this tumultuous period between Saul and David, “Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him” (1st Samuel 18:12-15). Reading both passages together, one can infer that the future king of Israel was advised to flee from Saul’s presence, since Saul had twice thrown his spear at David, intending to kill him (cf. 1st Samuel 18:10-11). The psalm reveals the great confidence that David had in God’s protection and that he understood that it was not yet the right time to flee to the mountains and hide from Saul. In other words, David trusted in God’s will and chose to wait for Divine guidance, ready to obey the commandment of Jehovah God. David did not react foolishly, but was prudent in his reaction to the king’s evil intentions because he took into account his marriage to Michal and his friendship with Jonathan, both children of Saul (cf. 1st Samuel 19:1-7). Likewise, David had the wisdom to go, “to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth” (1st Samuel 19:18). The Bible tells us that David finally fled to the mountains when God revealed to him (through the covenant he and Jonathan had made) that Saul’s intentions were undoubtedly to kill David (cf. 1st Samuel 20:1ff). It is wise to understand the historical background of the psalm because it illuminates the spiritual instruction of the Divine counsel: the example of faith founded on full trust in the Almighty (cf. Colossians 2:6-8). Irrefutably, this trust is demonstrated in the obedience that the servant of God exhibits in following all of God’s counsel. David learned during that bitter experience in his life to wait on God’s will, and he was able to testify of God, “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my paths under me, so my feet did not slip” (Psalm 18:35-36). Therefore, the sweet singer of Israel teaches us that trust in Jehovah God is demonstrated by fulfilling all of His will through obedience. The blessed Word of God declares, “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreadking himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. But salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Psalm 37:35-40). David reminds us once again that God’s salvation is obtained through obedience to God’s commands. The Master agrees with King David since He revealed to the disciples, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). It is undeniable that the defining characteristic of friendship is the trust shared between two people. Let us remember that Scripture proves this to us in the example of Jonathan and David and the covenant they made with each other where David’s life was in Jonathan’s hands (cf. 1st Samuel 20:12-23). David followed the instructions of his friend Jonathan, because he trusted in the judgment and integrity of his close friend. It is to this trust that the Lord refers when He states that our friendship with Him is manifested by following His commandments. Our obedience to His doctrine reveals the confidence we have in His ability to save us from eternal death. On the contrary, disobedience communicates the distrust that the person has in the power and strength of Jesus Christ to rescue the soul from eternal fire. We must take note of the exalted heart revealed in unbelief toward the Master. Those who distrust the teachings of our Lord sadly profess to be wiser than God (cf. Romans 1:21-22). The apostle Paul reveals that the folly of that ancient society that rejected the Divine counsel tragically came to pass when they “exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:25). It is necessary to observe that the example of idolatry unmasks the reality of a heart that is proud against Jehovah God. This is because idolatry is simply removing God’s will and replacing it with the will of our desires. When we do this, we violate God’s Law through disobedience, which offends the Holy Spirit (cf. Hebrews 10:26-29). Going against God’s will is dangerously foolish. Our merciful Savior explains to us the grave error of thinking that we can build on a more solid foundation than God Himself through His conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 7:24-28, Luke 6:46-49). Once again, obedience shows the trust the obedient have in God’s wisdom, “for the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame’” (Romans 10:11, cf. Isaiah 28:16). When we fail to follow all of God’s counsel, we come to doubt God’s omniscience. Such unbelief can be deadly for the unbeliever because he arrogantly comes to believe that he is wiser than God, but such a thought has no foundation and invites ruin to the life of the one who does such a thing (cf. Hebrews 3:12-19). Therefore, let us make absolutely sure that we are standing upon the solid foundation of God’s Word, lest we learn too late that we have been building on shaky ground the entire time (2nd Timothy 2:19).