A Steadfast Heart
Scripture
“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, "Flee [as] a bird to your mountain"? 2 For look! The wicked bend [their] bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? 4 ¶ The LORD [is] in His holy temple, The LORD’S throne [is] in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. 5 The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. 6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind [Shall be] the portion of their cup. 7 For the LORD [is] righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.” (Ps 11:1-7 NKJV)
Commentary
How Can You Say Flee?
There may be times in your life when everyone says to you, “Give up or give in.” That was the case for David. His friends saw how harm sought after him, probably in the person of Saul. They saw with their eyes and reasoned in their minds the futility of standing against insurmountable odds. All they could envision was the eventual and certain death of David, and out of that fear they encouraged him to run and hide.
Have they told you to give up? Have you convinced yourself to give up? There will always be a voice encouraging you to run from the battle. That voice will often find resonance in the mouth of a friend as Satan is adept at finding just the right tool to make a temptation as strong as possible.
David was clearly appalled by their suggestion and asks, “How can you say to my soul flee as a bird?” Surely David felt some insult when you look at this response. David must have been thinking, “Am I a little bird whose heart races with fear from one place to the next?” Therefore, he responds in faith by recounting the reality of the situation.
The Lord Is in His holy temple!
David declares his confidence in the Lord. First, he declares God’s omnipotence by mentioning God’s exalted position—He is in His holy temple, and His throne is in heaven. He says this as if God looks down on us like a child looks at his toy soldiers and moves them at will. There is nothing that God cannot handle, and there is nothing of which He is not aware. Friends, God is sovereign in this world. Sure, there are times when it looks like there is little or no hope, but that is only because of our limited viewpoint.
Remember Elisha? “And Elisha prayed, and said, 'LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.'" Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain [was] full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2Ki 6:17 NKJV) Elisha’s servant could not see with the eye of faith, so God graciously opened his eyes to see the real picture.
There is no need to fear anything or anyone except God. God has not changed. He is still on His throne today. What’s more, He loves you and hates the wicked (v.5). Sure, He will test you. He does this not to harm, but that you might glorify Him. However, on the wicked He is pouring out coals of fire and brimstone. You have no need to fear; you only need to trust as David did.
What Is Your Fear Today?
I ask you, what is your fear today? Do you think the battle against sin is impossible to win? Is there a task that must be accomplished? Is there some confrontation on the horizon? Whatever it is, you must face it with the eye of faith. Remember God loves the righteous and hates the evil doer. He is on your side. Lay all your confidence on Him.
“The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. 16 No king [is] saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse [is] a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver [any] by its great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He [is] our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.” (Ps 33:13-21 NKJV)
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