Fly to Higher Ground

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,

nor his ear too dull to hear.

Isaiah 59:1 

On this morning’s jog down our gravel roads there were three birds running in front of me, obviously frightened. It must’ve been my heavy breathing that scared them. It certainly wasn’t the speed of my approach! It looked comical as the birds ran as fast their feet could mange. I wondered, “Why run when you can fly?” As if they heard my thoughts, they did just that and flew to higher ground.

Why run when you can fly? It’s a question worth asking. When problems and pain come our way do we run in our own strength or fly to God, the Rock who is higher than I (Psalm 61:2)? In every circumstance, temptation, need, and grief His arm is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1)!

1 Samuel 30 records that the Amalekites attacked the city of Ziklag, burned it, and took captive all the women and children, both young and old. David and his men experienced deep grief. Crushed with distress and bitterness, the men ran to self-reliance. They took things into their own hands and talked of stoning David. David chose to fly to higher ground. David found strength in the LORD his God (1 Samuel 30:6).

When Esther learned of Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews, Mordecai urged her not to run into the supposed protection of the palace for personal escape. She listened and chose to fly to the LORD whose arm is not too short to save, nor His ear to dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1). She asked the Jews to join her in a three day fast. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish (Esther 4:16).

When the music sounded signaling that all peoples and nations were to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego soared by faith. Rather then caving to peer pressure as the people around them bowed low, they testified that the God we serve is able to save us from it [blazing furnace], and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:17-18).

The blazing furnace of grief, attacks from the enemy, and temptation to bow to false gods is not unique to David, Esther, or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It’s our story, too. Let’s refuse to run when we can fly.  Lift up your eyes to the hills. Our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2). He’s the greatest!

HE>i: Where do you turn when faced with loss and adversity?

When I get overwhelmed, confused, exhausted, I need a safe place where I can run and be protected. I need the name of the Lord.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

grace and peace,

Lenae