“In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me,’Flee like a bird to your mountain?'” — Psalm 11:1
I really love this verse. The reason I love it is because it is a reminder that we, as Christians, are to be vigilant to run to the Lord, first. We are to be vigilant to find our joy in the Lord.
David was wrestling with some difficult life circumstances when he wrote this Psalm. When others were encouraging him to “flee to the mountain” to find rest, David reminded them that his rest was in the Lord. David was vigilant to turn to Jesus first, he was vigilant to find refuge and joy in Him.
David is a hero of mine.
Another hero of mine is a man named Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon was a great pastor and teacher who was used by God to do great things for the Kingdom.
Interestingly, Spurgeon wrestled with crippling depression. That being said, even though he fought often with “the black gloom of despair” he chose to see the Lord’s blessing through it. He chose to turn first to Jesus when depression covered him. He somehow found joy in it.
Here is what Spurgeon wrote of his depression (in one of his many journals):
“This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry; the cloud is black before it breaks, and overshadows before it yields its deluge of mercy. Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist, heralding the nearer coming of my Lord’s richer benison.”
David chose to run (not to the mountains) in times of difficulty, but first, to the Lord. Spurgeon chose to see God through thick darkness, as a blessing in disguise.
Christian, this week, ask yourself, “Am I vigilant to find my joy in the Lord?”
Running to Him with you —
Posted in A Word from the Pastor