Fleeing Enemies
There is more than one kind of enemy. Presumably this Psalm (Psalm 11) was composed by David in a difficult time when he fled, or as he remembered his past when “times were tough.”
The psalmist had two basic options. Option one: Trust in the Lord for protection (much easier said than done). Option two: Flee as a bird to the mountain—trust in a place (the bird can fly to a safe environment relatively inaccessible to a ground enemy). The two options are to trust God’s protection or to “run” to the ultimate hiding place.
The psalm provided an interesting contrast to the song some churches sing. In the song the person flees to God (Who is the mountain) for protection. In the psalm the mountain is an alternative to fleeing to God in troubled times.
The question asked in the psalm is this: Is your trust in God or is it in your physical ability to hide? God’s solution was not necessarily finding an inaccessible place. The human decision often was (is) to locate an inaccessible place, and—if that place works—give God credit for providing that place.
Initially David trusted God’s guidance. Ultimately David did not like his circumstances enough to trust God’s protection (see 1 Samuel 27:1). David decided safety was not found in Israelite territory but in Philistine territory. A weak King Saul did not dare pursue him into Philistine territory. David’s physical security then was not in the protector God, but in the pagan place with superior military might.
When we flee, flee to God. Do more than give God credit.
|
Next Article |
Link to other Writings of David Chadwell