The Lord drew me to Psalm 11 (below) of all things and in meditating on it and doing some research, it’s a wonderful description of our self protective sinful strategies. We feel threatened and our natural desire is to flee. Run to the hills! Find refuge in our old strategy. It is comforting, safe, and familiar. It feels like our very foundation is cracking. We may feel panicky. We’re out of our comfort zone. Flee to the mountain like a bird. We feel helpless. When the foundation is being destroyed, there seems like there’s really nothing we can do about it.
But the Lord hasn’t left His throne. God is in charge. Our foundation might feel threatened but God’s foundation is sure. Nothing can shake it. He wants to be our refuge and dwelling place, especially in the midst of threat.
God is watching. He knows we’re being threatened and He is aware. He is wanting to come to our aid and help us through the power of His Spirit. He has promised He will. We are the righteous not based only on our performance but primarily through our position in Christ. And He will fight for us and defeat our enemies—the mental, spiritual and emotional flaming arrows that Satan sends of insecurity, fear, etc.
I saw this battle this morning as I contemplated calling into the pain center to see if there had been a cancellation for a time sooner than my appointment to get my spinal cortisone shot. The Lord seemed to say, “Do it now.” But my old strategies, my old insecurities wanted to run to the hills. I will be a pest if I call. Someone won’t like me. I don’t want to be told “no” because maybe it means something about me—I’m not worthy. All my old coping mechanisms rose up and said, “Flee to the safety of your old patterns and avoid the risk of rejection.” It seems so pitiful to write about this because it seems so small minded. But our old strategies seem huge at the time and the only reason I called was because I sensed that not calling would be pure disobedience. I asked for God’s courage and called.
Yes, they had a cancellation of a week sooner. I will only have to wait 2 weeks instead of 3 to get my shot. I rejoiced and thanked God. And then it hit me. The timing was significant. If I had waited the spot would have been taken by the next patient who made an appointment. The Lord had positioned me for receiving the new appointment. Thank you Lord for empowering me for obedience.
Now my challenge is feeling like if I call again, I really will be a pest. Will I be willing to obey the Lord’s guidance if He wants me to call again? Pray that I have the courage. Even if there’s no opening, I’m still valuable and worthwhile. Thank you Lord for drawing me to Psalm 11. I won’t flee to the mountain. I’m staking my faith in your position as God in charge.
What old strategies and patterns make you want to run to the hills when life is threatening?
Psalm 11
For the director of music. Of David.
1 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.