Understanding and Applying an Ancient Wisdom in Modern Life
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” you might wonder what exactly that means—or why it’s still important in our world today.
What Does “Foundations” Mean in Plain Terms?
In Psalm 11:3, the word “foundations” isn’t talking about bricks or cement. It’s about the basics that hold a community together: things like fairness, justice, honesty, and trust. These are the “ground rules” that help people live together peacefully.
· Law and Justice: Laws and judges who help sort out problems fairly.
· Doing What’s Right: People telling the truth and treating others fairly.
· Trust and Truth: Believing that most people will do the right thing when it matters.
When these things start to fall apart—when people ignore the rules, cheat, or cause trouble—it can feel like the very ground beneath us is cracking. The things we rely on every day, like safety, fairness, and order, can suddenly seem shaky or lost.
Why Does This Matter?
Psalm 11 was written during a time when life felt out of control. The “foundations” of society—those basic rules and values—were being ignored or destroyed. People felt frightened or angry, and it was tempting to give up hope.
But the writer, David, isn’t telling us to despair. Instead, he encourages us to keep trusting in God, who sees everything and cares deeply about what happens. Even if things seem hopeless, there is a reason to hold on and keep doing what’s right.
How Does This Connect to Today?
Many people today feel that the “foundations” of society are shaking. We see more division, political arguments, people ignoring important rules, and attacks on things like education or science. That can lead to anxiety, frustration, and sometimes hopelessness.
· More fighting and violence
· Political battles that never seem to end
· Education and expertise being questioned
· Old rules and respect breaking down
In moments like these, it’s easy to wonder: “What can I do when everything feels broken?”
The Role of the Press
One area that helps protect our foundations is the press—journalists and reporters who check facts, expose lies, and hold leaders accountable. They shine a light on problems and help us make sense of what’s happening. Without a strong, independent press, it’s much harder to protect the values that keep our society together.
· They help us see the truth.
· They challenge wrongdoings and corruption.
· They give us the information we need to make smart choices.
What Can We Do?
The advice from Psalm 11 is clear and encouraging:
· Hold onto truth and do what’s right. Even if it’s not popular, keep standing up for what matters.
· Support justice and honesty. Cheer on those who stand for fairness, even when it’s tough.
· Keep hope alive. Trust that good can still overcome, even if things look dark.
Believing in and working for a better society is never wasted. If it feels like the foundations are shaking, remember: it’s not just about what might be lost, but about what you can still do to rebuild and protect what matters most.
A Final Encouragement
David, in Psalm 11, faced strong temptation to give in to fear and distrust. But he chose to trust in God and hold tight to his values. Even when friends told him to run away or give up, he stayed committed to doing what was right.
We can do the same. Whether you’re religious or not, the message applies: In challenging times, don’t let fear or despair win. Stand firm, keep doing good, and look for ways to strengthen the foundations—justice, truth, and kindness—that hold our world together.
That’s what gives us hope, and that’s what helps us move forward—no matter how shaky things may seem.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 