Psalm 11

Psalm 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.


When I first started reading the Bible again, I had a trembling fear when I would read things like, 6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup.

God's wrath upon those who disobeyed Him, and did evil in His sight impacted me in a such a way where I became afraid. I could see the state of our world now, the evil immorality, and dis-respect for Jesus our Lord (I had come out if it). I knew that if these things were really God's ways, to punish the wicked, and turn His face away from His people in their rebellion, we all were going to be in big trouble, soon.

The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding. Proverbs 9:10

I asked my Pastor in Las Vegas one day after reading some of the Old Testament prophet books, "Doesn't it seem a little harsh, the sentence of God's unrelenting wrath on those who do wickedly?" I was not taking into account the Lord's mercy. She told me to go and read the New Testament gospels until I had an handle on the Love and Mercy of Jesus our Lord.

I have quite enjoyed becoming enamored with the Man Jesus. He does the craziest nicest things to those who no normal man would even touch. He has mercy for the worst sinner, and turns them into a preacher because of how great His love is. Once you taste the Love of Jesus, you crave it above all others. He is alive, and His love and mercy is deep enough to cleanse us, wide enough to ensure our destiny, long enough enjoy the weak reach of our hearts, high enough to be given all honor and glory! Jesus is our all in all, and He is God. His blood makes a way for our redemption, and has satisfied the wrath of God, on our behalf! Oh Jesus! Thank You!

So now reading Psalm 11, the Lord has pointed out to me that His mercy is His judgment. David writes that,

"4 The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men."

God sees us. He is watching for those who are seeking His Righteousness, Jesus. Those who put their trust in Jesus, the Lord will 'behold', He will look upon them, and test them. Wait! Test them? Is that the reward of the righteous? Yes!!!

5 The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.


7 For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.

We want God watching out for us, if He turns His face away from us, the enemy will come in and devour us! We need the Lord to behold us. So having Jesus living in us is our success, and we are in right standing with God, righteous before God. With God's righteous, holy Spirit alive on the inside of us, we will be beautiful to God. He will look upon us, because He loves righteousness, He is righteous.

Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27

Testing, according to the Word of God, is the reward for being righteous. Jesus was tempted in the desert, and tested as He lived each day of His life as a man on earth knowing the Cross was coming; yet, the Cross was the Joy! set before Him. He knew testing as a joyful thing, to be looked forward too! He had the Word of the Father that He would be the Shepherd, and bring the lost sheep into the Kingdom of God, and Jesus believed the Word of the Father! WE must stand on the Word of God.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:12  Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.


1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.