Run away or stay ?

Friday 25 June 2021

Run away or stay ?

It is in the Lord that I seek refuge. How can you tell me : Flee into the mountains like a bird ? Psalm 11:1

David is going through difficult circumstances. He is surrounded by violent people, ready to kill him. Some say to him : do not stay there, come take refuge in the mountain, fly away like a bird... These people, perhaps well intentioned, add: The wicked bend their bow, they adjust their arrow on the string, to shoot in the shadows those whose heart is upright. When the foundations are overturned, what can the righteous do ? (v. 2,3). What will you do ? The foundations of society are shaken ! You will not be able to change anything, you, against all those who want to kill you... you might as well run away and hide !

What is our reaction in oppressive situations, when we are tempted to give up and let everything fall ? Our efforts seem to be going nowhere, we face opposition - in our family, in our church, in our work - and even our best friends tell us to stop fighting. Should we be cowardly or valiant, should we flee or stay ? What is the path of faith ?

What is David's reaction ? He refuses the idea of ​​faltering. He gives those who tempt him solid reasons to stay where he is, perhaps at the court of Saul who seeks to lose him : It is in the Lord that I seek refuge. How can you tell me : Flee into the mountain like a bird ? His trust in God is his safety. He knows that God, in his sovereignty, dominates events, and that his plans will unfailingly be fulfilled. God is seated on his throne (v. 4), sovereign, but not indifferent. He sees everything, he knows the hearts of all men, both righteous and wicked (v. 5). One day he will execute his judgments on the wicked (v. 6).

Because the righteous Lord loves righteousness, he regards the upright man (v. 7). His eyes are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their supplications (1 Peter 3:12).

So why run away when you have such a God ?

Source (Pleasing the Lord)