Scripture
In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains.”
~Psalm 11:1, NRSV
Quote
Never mind your happiness, do your duty.
~Peter Drucker
David’s life was threatened more than once. He was a wanted man for almost ten years as he fled from Saul and his henchmen; then of course, he fled Jerusalem during the rebellion of Absalom but there were other crisis when he did not flee. We do not know the context of this Psalm, only that David’s counselors are advising him to flee to which David says–“No, I will take refuge in the LORD.” There is a difference between a test and a temptation: The LORD test us to bring out the best while Satan tempts us to bring out the worse. Nehemiah was tempted to leave his post, to forsake his duty for the sake of his his welfare supposedly but it was all a trick. Had Nehemiah left his post, he would have been in much more danger than he was in standing pat. Thank God he realized he was getting bad counsel and that his enemies were actually setting him up.
In the old days pastors were bad about pulling up stakes and fleeing to a new congregation at the first sign of trouble. I know pastors who did this their entire lives. They never weathered a storm because they fled as soon as they saw dark clouds gathering on the horizon. I decided early in life that running from problems is futile. The devil is everywhere. He is not simply working in the church where you serve, it is at work in all churches. I also had to admit that I was my biggest problem so in light of those two facts, what was the use in fleeing to a new post. There is a time to flee and there is a time to stand. May God help us to know when to do what. David did long to flee at times as we all do but on this particular occasion, he stood firm. Take comfort in these words found in Psalm 55…
It is natural to want to escape our problems: we are all tempted to flee. Dr. Wiersbe says, “There comes a time when God wants us to rise like Eagles, not flee like Doves.” The dove flies away putting distance between itself and danger but the Eagle does not flee, it simply rises above. How does the Eagle rise above? It catches a thermal, a pocket of warm air, and the warm air lifts the bird. The HOLY SPIRIT is our thermal. He is the wing beneath our wings.
- Joe David got home safe and sound last night about 6:30. He was exhausted from lack of sleep and hours of travel. He also picked up a cold. We want to thank all of you who prayed for his safe return. We are indebted to you and we will not forget your kindness.
- I may as well tell you if you haven’t heard already. I was drinking a super-sized diet coke on the way back from Atlanta when we came upon a wreck that had the entire West bound I-20 shut down. It took us almost an hour to get to the exit and I had a full bladder, very full. Within a hundred yards of the ramp, Joe David suggest I hit the medium and so I did but before I got to the top of the ramp, the police were on me with flashing lights. I knew that every move for me was dangerous but I jumped out to met the police and begged for mercy in the near by trees. When I got to him, it was Freddie Turrentine. I told him my problem and he said, “This is your lucky day, go for it.” I found an off road a quarter of a mile away. Then we got into the detour traffic and got stuck for 2 more hours. I found an old shed the second time. We would still be in Pell City had Freddie not hustled around the detour and directed us back on the I-20. Thank you Freddie.
- We have already gotten 3 1/2 inches of rain. It beats a drought. I’m going to try to side dress our Roundup Ready sweet corn today. June’s says, “Its impossible.”
- Great Article in the IMPRIMIS on the demise of Journalistic Standards. The new standard of the lame stream media is a DOUBLE STANDARD.
- Some wanted to go to the Hartselle Camp Meeting this Sunday night and I believe Joe David is going cancel our service at DBC so those who want to attend the Camp Meeting may do so.
- This Sunday is our last Krispi Kreme Sunday for awhile.