How Say Ye To My Soul, Flee As A Bird? Psalm 11:1-4

How Say Ye to my Soul, Flee as a Bird

Chaplain David Tack: JNRC Psalms 11:1-4

Psalm 11:1- In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

TEMPTATION TO FLEE: A lot of speculation can be made of the phrase found in Psalm 11:1, “a bird fleeing to the mountains”; I believe David is referring to fleeing to higher ground as opposed to trusting God.

This reminds me of the old spiritual “Where Could I Go but To the Lord.” SONG 1: Where Could I Go

but to the Lord (The Harmonizing Four) [2:27]

1. This morning, as we approach Easter, I would like to focus on our Lord Jesus Christ as he, like David, is experiencing much agony while facing a very destructive and lonely path known to be The Passion of Christ. (ultimately, experiencing God’s full wrath for the sin of humanity). Jesus, as did David, chose to trust God, rather than fleeing [if it were even possible].

WHAT IS THE PASSION [suffering or enduring] OF JESUS CHRIST:

I. WE WILL START IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE (HERE WE HAVE A PICTURE OF CHRIST’S EXCRUCIATING

AGONY).

• Luke :40-46- And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. (41) And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, (42) Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (43) And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. (44) And being in an agony [ag?n means place of assembly, then place of contest, then conflict] he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (45) And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, (46) And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. PRESENT DAY APPLICATIONS. How are you handling your Gethsemane?

1. Jesus is under extreme stress and agony; Yet he chooses to stay put, suffer the consequences and

be obedient to God’s design for the circumstance (As did David in Psalm 11:1). How about you today?

2. Jesus understood his mission and that saving him from such a mission would have catastrophic circumstances. Do you know your mission today?

SONG 2- Go to Dark Gethsemane by Indelible Grace Music (4.24)

II. LET US RETURN TO PSALM 11 FOR A MOMENT AND LOOK AT SATAN’S BENDED BOW: THE ARROW OF FALLEN HUMANITY

• Psalm 11:2: For, lo, the wicked bend [to prepare or put in order for use] their bow, they make

ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

o David had admirers and many enemies; Jesus likewise had many of both; but the common denominator

for both was the influence that Satan had/has upon humanity.

LET US NOW RETURN TO THE DRAMA AS IT UNFOLDS… LETS LOOK AT SATANS BENDED BOW AFTER THE GESTHEMANE ENCOUNTER

• Just where do the ROMANS and JEWS fit into the setting of the crucifixion puzzle…. As aforementioned they were but arrows, placed upon the bended bow of Satan and his forces.

LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF SATANS TACTICAL ARROWS

1. FIRST, WE HAVE SATAN’S ARROW OF BONDAGE … Jesus is taken captive (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53).

• Let’s look at Luke’s account: Luke 22:47-52: (47) And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. (48) But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? (49) When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? (50) And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. (51) And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. (52) Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? • Note, that when the dust settles, our Lord would have to endure six different “trials” before He was condemned to be crucified! Three before the Jews and three before the Roman authorities (Annas [former high priest], Caiaphas [Annas’ son-in law and official High Priest], Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, Pilate)

2. SECOND, WE HAVE SATAN’S ARROW OF A STACKED DECK (The arrow of false witness).

• Mark 14: 55-57: And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. (56) For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. (57) And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying…. o A bogus trial for many reasons… (1) It was on a feast day; (2) It was held at night; (3) It was held at the high priest’s home; (4) It lacked the required period of time to lapse for death penalty case; (4) Their testimony of the witnesses did not agree; (5) Not all Sanhedrin were present… Folks, we have a “stacked deck” trial here!