They should have known better, those close advisors to this king whose faith in God was big enough to send a small stone at a large giant.

The counselors were only doing their job. They looked around, made assessments on what they saw and then advised accordingly. And what they saw was shocking indeed:

“the evil
  bows are bent, the wicked arrows
 aimed to shoot under cover of darkness
 at every heart open to God.
The bottom’s dropped out of the country;
 good people don’t have a chance” Psalm 11:2,3 The Message

“David,” they say, “You have only one option. Run, escape, get out of town, try to find somewhere where you’ll be safe.”

But David had long before determined that he would trust his future and his safety to Jehovah. He smiles at these who have his best interests at heart, but have no assurance in his God. “Why should I flee to the mountains when I am trusting God?” he asks.

He was not down to one option as they assumed. His options remained open as long as God was still in control.

And what about our parallel today? Ever feel like there’s an arrow behind every bush, behind every wall … aimed directly at you? Ever feel like the dark is getting darker and the light is all but extinguished? Ever feel like every new law and judicial ruling favors wickedness and is pushing righteousness over the brink to free fall into extinction?

If we’re not careful our hearts begin to believe in the opposite direction of where belief should take us. We see no hope, we ignore what we’ve heard and learned about God’s faithfulness. We sense his strong arm shriveling into impotency.

Our hearts implode with fear and a nighttime stealthy flight to the mountains sounds better and better. It appears to be our only option. Because if God can’t turn things around, what hope is there?

But take heart. The one in you is “greater than the one who is in the world.” I John 4:4 The One who set limits on the sea is the One who will not allow wickedness to win. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” Romans 16:20 And again, “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” Psalm 33:10,11

This week remember … without faith in a great God, fleeing becomes your only option. But with faith come options! Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY WILL COME IN THE MORNING!

 Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,
    preserving them forever from this lying generation,
even though the wicked strut about,
    and evil is praised throughout the land.

Psalm 12:7,8 New Living Translation

May you experience joy for your journey!