In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. 5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. 7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.

In the words of the old country song: “you’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.” The Apostle Paul had many occasions when he had to decide whether to leave, run or hide or whether to stand and face those who opposed him. David had this decision to make. In this Psalm, he is being warned to flee like a bird to the mountain. That is, he should leave the present danger and escape to the mountains. Indeed, he did this in more than one instance. For the first part of his life as an adult, he was on the run from King Saul. He spent his time in the mountains and caves. He was constantly in danger from the perils of nature and the terrain as well as Saul and his army. He had done nothing to deserve this but it came.

There were times that David stood his ground and fought his enemies. The difference was whether it was his enemies or God’s enemies. When it was personal, he would flee but when it was a matter that might reproach his God, he would stand and fight. A good example of this is when the giant Goliath challenged the armies of Israel in the name of his god and swore that the gods of the Philistines were greater that the God of Israel. David, against all odds and advice fought and killed the giant in the name of the Lord.

In it all, whether personal, political or religious, David trusted God and sought to do his will. It was his goal to do exactly what God wanted and to leave the results up to God. This did not keep him from having all kinds of thoughts that express grief, sorrow, fear and even depression (as expressed in many of the Psalms). However, he worked his way thru each of these with his absolute trust in the might and the love of God.

O God, give me strength to trust you and to know that you care about me, no matter what I face. Give me wisdom to know when to stand and when to just leave it alone. Use me to be a peace-maker and to encourage others and don’t allow me to tear down, or discourage or cause strife. Forgive me when I fail to be all that you want me to be. Help me to open my heart to your Spirit so that I will be more like you. I pray in the name of Jesus.