Kingdom Seekers Circle

Emotional Meditation—By Micah Siemens

Psalm 11 opens with a line that almost feels defensive: “In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain’?” I imagine David surrounded by voices telling him to run, to hide, to get out while he can. Fear always has a chorus.

But David pushes back. Because sometimes running isn’t faith—it’s surrender to panic. His critics point out, “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” That’s a terrifying question. What do you do when the moral ground beneath you crumbles? When injustice feels baked into the system? When the very “foundations” are cracking?

David’s answer is not what I expect. He doesn’t give a plan, a strategy, or even a pep talk. He looks upward: “The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne.”

That’s it. That’s his response. God is still seated. Still watching. Still testing hearts. His eyes see what we think goes unnoticed. The wicked may take aim, but God sees. And His verdict will come.

There’s this piercing line near the end: “On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.” It’s unsettling, almost violent imagery. But it’s also assurance—evil doesn’t get the final word.

The psalm closes on this paradox: “For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; the upright will see His face.” Justice isn’t just an abstract principle for God—it’s His delight. And the reward for the faithful isn’t safety or even vindication first—it’s His face. His presence.

Psalm 11 hits me like a challenge. When the foundations shake, I want quick fixes, escape routes, proof that things will stabilize. David says: the anchor is higher than the quake. Refuge is not found in flight, but in the face of God.