QUIET TIME WITH GOD: PSALM 11

1In the Lord I take refuge;

how can you say to my soul,

“Flee like a bird to your mountain,

2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;

they have fitted their arrow to the string

to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

3 if the foundations are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”[a]

4 The Lord is in his holy temple;

the Lord's throne is in heaven;

his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

5 The Lord tests the righteous,

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;

fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the Lord is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

the upright shall behold his face.

In the midst of David's troubles he hears "Flee like a bird to your mountain". Someone tells David that he is in great danger; for behold, the wicked bend the bow. They tell him that his life right now should be his priority– not righteousness; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? David has to make a painful decision. He needs to face his struggle to trust in God's plan or listen to the voices in this world. However, David cries out to the Lord. He follows God's heart and puts his trust only in Him; In the Lord I take refuge. He knows that God looks at our motivations and the things that reside in our hearts. Often times we hear the small voice in our head that tells us to flee to our mountain. To give in to sin, give in to our sinful desires, and worldly motivations. But the word today is telling me to flee from sin and run to God. Even when the voices tell me to resort to earthly things, I must stay awake in the spirit, rooted in God's word, and persevere till the end to follow His ways.

PRAYER

Dear God,

When my own thoughts and worldly ideologies take over my mind, help me turn back to you. Give me the spiritual eyes to see the world in your eyes and to live my life with a heart like Jesus. God, I am so quick to see every situation with my own ideologies. Father, my thoughts and desires are selfish and sinful. God, I repent before you, please transform my mind and heart. God, I thank you for allowing me to see who I am. Thank you, God, for guiding me back to the road you have prepared for me, even when I run the other way.

- rach