Head for the Hills

Head for the Hills

“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?

What is the first inclination when facing danger of any kind? A man with a gun! Shots fired! A ferocious dog with barring teeth! The cry goes out – run, run for your life! Get away as far as you can. These are all natural or normal reactions when we are threatened or feel our life is in danger.

   People are fleeing today. Husbands are fleeing their families with the intent to get out from under their responsibilities; thus abandoning their children. Others are fleeing to the hills hoping to find peace away from crime or terror. Refugees are fleeing from their homeland because of the fear of death from anarchy or other rebel factions. If you are waiting for good to win out over evil in society, you may be in for a long wait. Things appear to be going from bad to worse. As we look around us today, we see values that used to stand for something being crumbled under foot.  You can’t blame upright honest people from feeling that they have nowhere to turn—that they must escape.

   Psalm 11 was written by David at a time when Israel may have felt that escape was the only viable action. The people feared the attacks of their enemies and sensed that the foundations of justice were crumbling. That’s why some of them were saying to David, “Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.” (v. 1-2)

   But escape is not the answer. Elimelech and Naomi tried that back in the book of Ruth and looked what happened to them. What happens when you try to “head for the hills” to get away from your problems-- “your problems go with you?” 

   David gives the solution in verse 4 – “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.” What is David saying? Keep your focus on God—he is in control. He’s keeping his eyes on things—he will have the final word.

   Don’t “head for the hills,” instead, trust God and keep doing what’s right.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may we always remember, no matter how everything seems you are the one who is in control and makes the final decision.