Morning Moments

God has not changed His address.

(Psalm 11:1MSG) A David psalm I've already run for dear life straight to the arms of GOD. So why would I run away now when you say, "Run to the mountains; (2) the evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every heart open to God. (3) The bottom's dropped out of the country; good people don't have a chance"? (4) But GOD hasn't moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn't changed. He's in charge, as always, his eyes taking everything in, his eyelids Unblinking, examining Adam's unruly brood inside and out, not missing a thing. (5) He tests the good and the bad alike; if anyone cheats, God's outraged. (6) Fail the test and you're out, out in a hail of firestones, Drinking from a canteen filled with hot desert wind. (7) GOD's business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, Setting us straight. Once we're standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye.

In a rapidly changing world where Christianity seems to under fire and when corruption and deception appear to be the order of the day in the plans of government and minds of many of the governed, we need to be reminded that GOD HAS NOT CHANGED HIS ADDRESS!

Let's face it, men's heart DO fail for fear, but those of us who run do not run from the godless, but to our God.  What an encouragement this Psalm should be to us.

Consider:

This psalm is placed between 1 Samuel 20 and 21, along with Psalm 59.  If that is the case, David, who had served King Saul faithfully, and had become Saul's son, Jonathan's, best friend, was now hated and being pursued by Saul who wanted to kill David.  David's friends (peers) encouraged him to flee to the mountains to hide, but David understood that God was his hiding place and that only He could protect him, wherever he was.


The Protector - "the arms of God"
Running to the arms of God for our protection is not second thought for those of us who walk with Him.  It is our FIRST and ONLY thought, for we understand that it is the only safe and secure place for us to remain.  He keeps us IN who are "in His arms" and He keeps "the enemy out".  Notice David says, "I have already done it, and I did it without any detours or distractions."  The old spiritual asks, "Where can I go but to the Lord?"


The Peers - "Run to the mountains"
People mean well, but most do not advise wisely on the basis of the knowledge of God.  There is no armor for the back.  There is no reason to flee.  We are told to STAND FAST and see the salvation (deliverance) of the Lord.  If I can get "in the mountains", cannot the enemy get there?  So, those who would run for cover miss the point of running to CHRIST!  He is LORD OF ALL!

The Problem - "...arrows...at every heart open to God"
Is this not the case today?  Isn't the enemy of God shooting fiery darts at the heart of every one of us who is open to God?  That is why we are given, IN CHRIST, the breastplate of righteousness that we might withstand the fiery darts of the wicked.  When the heart is open, the enemy wants it closed and nothing will close the open heart quicker than fear of it being wounded in some way.  BUT the arms of God is a safe and secure place where no hurt or harm can hinder our sweet fellowship with HIM.

The Powers - "bottom's dropped out of the country..."
When the wicked rule, the righteous mourn.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the bottom is dropping out of the nations of this world.  Morals, marriages, monies, and everything else is facing the stress of corruption and deceit.  We are lied to by governments who continue to practice careless spending and promote careless behavior.  "If the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?"  "There is no foundation laid but that which is laid, Jesus Christ, the Lord!"

The Permanence - "God hasn't moved..."
In all the confusion and calamity of the world shifting and changing, there remains a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.  He is where He has always been - ON HIS THRONE - overseeing the thoughts and intents of the hearts of man.  He is available to those who will call upon Him!  He position and His place are permanent!  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

The Pressure - "He tests..."
The temptation always comes in the midst of the test.  God tests, but Satan tempts.  We can moan and groan about the temptation or we can rejoice when we enter into diverse trials knowing that our God is able to deliver us and that "there is no temptation taken us that is not common to man, but GOD IS FAITHFUL, who will not allow us to be tempted above that we are able".  He gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud, "wherefore let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall."

The Purpose - "God's business..."
I LOVE the way this psalm ends - so that we may stand tall and look Him straight in the eye.  For we shall see face to face and know even also as we are known.  What He began in us, He WILL finish!  The test may be tough, but we will get THROUGH it!  We will stand tall for He loves getting things straight!  Don't run from the godless, but run to God!  He will straighten everything out...It's His job to do it.


BLESSINGS!