See Safety (Psalm 11)

STUDY the Psalms

In YHWH I seek refuge.
     How can you say to my soul,
“Flee like a bird from your mountain."

---

What does it meant seek refuge in YHWH? Looking for safety and protection are in the shadow of him. What does it mean to take refuge in the Lord? He is the one that will keep me from all harm and danger.

Like a bird. Small and vulnerable. Unable to defend herself. Tiny and light. Not a predator, not a hunter. A bird. Only able to fly away from danger. As soon as she feels it in the feathers, brushing through her body, fear prickling the back of her neck. Fly away. Or die.

Flee from? Fly away? Away from YHWH? How can you say that to me?

Why would you say, go away from Him?

Nonsense. I need to find my safe place.

Every shadow, every breath, every phantom stronghold, I am in possible danger. No matter how solid the shelter looks, how happy the songs sound, I need to stay on guard. It only takes time to see the truth: every earthly promise ends up empty.

So

YHWH is my refuge.

I seek YHWH.

For look! The wicked stand on the bow.
They have set their arrow to the string
    to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.

---

The wicked are ready. Like lions, like predators, like hunters, the wicked stand ready to kill. This is the real fear. My refuge is in danger. My safe sleep will be no more. My wings will stretch and burn flying nonstop away. From everyone, and everything.

Wicked wait to trap me.

And I know it now.

If the foundations are destroyed,
     what can the righteous do?

---

I am trapped in the middle of destruction. What to do? When the center of solid evaporates? What to do? When every branch grows thorns? What to do? When no one keeps a light on for me? What to do? When my center is destroyed?

Suddenly, I realize. There is nowhere to land. There is nowhere to hide. There is no one left on earth to help my endless skittish game of fear and flight.