Run to the Lord

 January 23, 2024

Tuesday

Psalm 31:1–2 (NASB 2020)  1 In You, Lord, I have taken refuge; Let me never be put to shame; In Your righteousness rescue me. 2 Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be a rock of strength for me, A stronghold to save me.

This Psalm was written while David was being pursued by Saul. His life is in danger. Saul will surely have David killed as soon as he sees him. He runs to the Lord.

I have known many people who have run to the Lord when circumstances were dire. They will be found reading their Bibles. They won’t miss church. They won’t miss anything at the church. For many, this is only hiding. They aren’t taking refuge. They are trying to get God to defend them as He observes their righteous behavior. They are gone soon after the crisis has passed.

David’s crisis was brought on by his faithfulness. He did as Saul asked. He went out to defeat Saul’s enemies. He came back to the praises of the Hebrew people. Saul became fearful of losing the hearts of the people. He sought to eliminate David and end the threat of being deposed.

David runs to the Lord because he knows Him. He knows the Lord is righteous. He asks the Lord to rescue him because He is righteous. David clearly saw that the actions of Saul were not righteous. David doesn’t want Saul eliminated. He wants Saul’s favor again. The threat will end with that.

David isn’t impatient as one might assume because he asks to be rescued quickly. He sees his demise an immanent. Saul’s army is right at his doorstep. He either is rescued now or he never will be .

He asks the Lord to hear him. He asks the Lord to be a rock of strength. He asks Him to be a stronghold. He does not ask for Saul’s defeat. He asks for strength and protection for himself.

When we face what appears to be immanent failure we should go to the Lord and ask for the strength and the protection of the Lord. Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” That courage is acting rightly when failure is all you can see. That courage is taking responsibility for your actions. That courage is going to Lord because you know Him. That courage is putting yourself in His hands.

So, let’s go out and be courageous today.