How can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain”? PSALM 11:1
Someone was giving David advice, and this advice went straight to his heart: “It’s time to move on, David.” Why? We are given two reasons in this psalm.
First reason: “The wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart” (11:2). There’s going to be trouble, David, and you’re the target.
Second reason: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (11:3). David, you’ve done your best. There’s nothing more you can do.
We are not told who gave this advice to David, but most likely these were the words of a friend who cared about him deeply.
David had been chosen by God to replace King Saul. But Saul fought against this until the end of his life. Saul was given to fits of rage and on one occasion he threw a spear at David (1 Sam. 19:10). It would be very natural for someone who cared about David to say, “David, Saul has it in for you. His arrows are aimed at you. You are a righteous man, but you’re no longer safe.”
This is exactly what happened. David was married to Saul’s daughter Michal, and after Saul threw a spear at David, she said, “If you don’t leave tonight, Saul will kill you.” Saul had already sent his agents to David’s house, so Michal let her husband down from the bedroom window and put a stuffed dummy in his bed to allow him time to escape (1 Sam. 19:11-13).
Is someone telling you “It’s too late for your family, your marriage, your church. There’s nothing more you can do. Run away.”? How are you praying? What are you asking God to do?
Written by Colin Smith
Read by Sue McLeish
