We live in a time that is much like Jesus predicted would be the scene prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in which there would be wars and rumors of wars. Many people are in a state of fear today. Combine that with the moral decline, an uptick in crime, along with a general attitude of bitterness and anger. Many Christians are in a state of saying, “what shall we do?”
This is not anything new or different than what we find throughout the Bible. In fact, consider the relevance of Psalm 11:3:
Psalm 11:3 (ESV) — 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Like any text we find in the Bible, it is helpful to consider the context in which the words were spoken as we look at God’s remedy in the reminder that God is in His holy temple, His throne may be in heaven but His eyes see what is going on. He is the one Who uses these occasions to test the righteous but be it known that He has it in for those who are wicked and love violence. In fact, be it known that God takes notice of those who live as His righteous ones. Read Psalm 11:3-7.
Psalm 11:3–7 (ESV) — 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” 4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. 5 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
What can the righteous do? Live a righteous life.
When God was about to wipe out Sodom for their wicked deeds, Abraham interceded on behalf of any righteous people who were living there. He asked God if He would destroy the city if there were fifty righteous and God said no. He then asked about 45, then 40, and down he came to just ten righteous.
Genesis 18:32 (ESV) — 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
Obviously, there were not ten righteous people in Sodom because the Lord destroyed the city.
This is something that all of us can be mindful of doing and doing better – by God’s grace and power – live righteously in this evil world. After all, that is God’s purpose in bringing us salvation.
Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) — 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Another form of encouragement in the realm of “what shall the righteous do?” is in the prophecy of Malachi the prophet in which he reminds the righteous in the midst of a rebuke for those who were living a hypocritical lifestyle, to remain faithful by encouraging one another, praying, and seeking to esteem God’s name by living by His word.
Malachi 3:16–18 (ESV) — 16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
Peter’s reminder of who the righteous are and what they should be doing gives us further insight into what the righteous can and should be doing.
1 Peter 2:9–12 (ESV) — 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Prayer is always the right thing in which to be involved and we are to be praying for leaders as well as for all men as it is good and pleasing to God.
1 Timothy 2:1–3 (ESV) — 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
There seems to be quite a list of involvement of things which can be done by those who see the evil of the day. Instead of worrying, we are to pray – individual prayer, family prayer, and church prayer. We are to seek to live a righteous life by following the pattern of the scripture. We are to be encouraging one another as we speak to one another. That means that instead of a complaint fest or talking how bad things are today unlike the days of the past or making statements like, “I’m glad I’m not raising kids today.” Wait a minute. We believe God is in control and instead of complaining about every little thing like the children of Israel in the wilderness, which by the way made God very angry, we need to encourage one another with the word of God. Doesn’t God promise to hear prayer? Of course! Doesn’t God promise to take notice of those who take a righteous stand by the way they live? Of course He does!
In conclusion, take heed to the words of the Apostle Peter who were facing conditions much like we are facing today.
1 Peter 3:10–12 (ESV) — 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
