Psalm 11 Continued…
David’s friends appear to have a timid nature, since they are worried about his safety. They urge him not only to flee to the mountains, which he did, but also to desert God, and to renounce his faith—which he never did. David marveled at this suggestion, because it defied his faith in the Lord. They didn’t seem to have faith that the Lord would see him through—“Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him” (Psalm 3:2). David’s declaration, “In the Lord I take refuge” (or “have put my trust” Psalm 11:1) counteracts their suggestion. The enemies of God (including Satan) have always worked toward turning away the faithful servants of God by creating fearful situations— “At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” (Luke 13:31)
The advice of David’s friends is the same recommendation you may get from psychologists today. They will tell you that what you need to do is get away from your problems. Go off somewhere—what you need is rest. You wish it was as simple as that; but you can’t run away from yourself. How true that is! People would tell David, “Flee as a bird to your mountain,” but he knew that was not the way to solve his problems, so he did what he had done many times before, he fled to the Lord for safety. The phrase is more accurately translated “as a little bird.”
Those who tell you to run away from your problems or from some situation you ought to face are not giving good advice. You should not run away out of fear, and it is wrong to flee from the place of duty, as Nehemiah was invited to do (Nehemiah 6:10-11). Many who were telling David to run away and get out of the country were afraid for his life, because an enemy was trying to kill him. The leader who flees needlessly from the crisis is only a hireling and not a faithful shepherd— “The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:12-13).
David had found sanctuary in the mountains before. The mountains offered hiding places where he could be free from pursuit. His flight is to be prompt and speedy, because there is no time to lose, since his life is in immediate jeopardy. The “Godless” is better than “the wicked,” since the context shows they are not among those who put their trust in the Lord. The believer, though not terrified by his enemies, may be tempted, by the fears of his friends, to desert his post, or neglect his work. They perceive his danger, but not his security, they give him council that savors of worldly policy, rather than heavenly wisdom.
PRAY
Lord, we are assailed moment by moment and it leaves us vulnerable to sin of every kind. Surround us with Your divine hedge of protection. Encompass us with Your strength and Your might. Let all who take refuge in You be glad!