Psalm 11:1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
Don’t Run!
More and more it seems we are being compelled as God’s people to consider what our relationship should be to the outside world, to government, to culture, and to people around us. It is a good question. We are compelled to ask, “Should we run? Should we stand? What should our stance be?”
Some say our best option is to hunker down and ride things out. There is a lot of hand wringing going on, and I understand that. In fact, I am inclined that way myself at times.
But, Psalm 11 is a timeless answer to the question of what our response to the onslaught of evil should be. In Psalm 11:1 David says, “In the LORD put I my trust.” There is a difference between fleeing from and fleeing to. A lot of believers are fleeing from anything and everything that is going to be a challenge to what God has said and to Who God is.
Instead, we should be compelled to flee to God. Psalm 11 continues, “How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
That is a fair question, but you can see the questioner wringing his hands, advising David to flee. Perhaps the context was when Saul was pursuing David. Saul was the law, and he was breaking God’s law while pursuing his own ends. There seemed to be no recourse for David except to flee. Indeed, David did hide from Saul at times.
But what was David’s attitude? He says, “How say ye to my soul?” David seems incredulous that people would be suggesting that he run. The answer is found in verses 4-5, “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous, but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”
The Lord is powerful beyond earth’s limits, and He knows about the onslaught of evil. So, don’t run. Don’t fear evil; flee to God, first of all, because of where He is. He is in His holy temple on His throne in heaven. His perspective is better and His power is greater.
Second, flee to God because of Who God is. He is the One Who is in His holy temple. He is the One Who sits on His holy throne, and He is the only One worthy to do such. He is sovereign.
Third, flee to God because of what God does. He knows what is going on and He judges. Verse 6 says, “Upon the wicked he shall reign snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall the portion of their cup.” God has literally done this in history. God knows what is going on and He is the Judge.
David wraps up the psalm by saying, “For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” Indeed He does, in David’s day and in yours as well.