Psalm 11:1
In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
David was conflicted and perhaps insulted here. He has been counseled to flee perhaps, by his friends (of course with all good intentions). But you can feel the disgust on David's words -- "How can you say to me?". This Psalm was written presumably when Saul wanted to kill him on 1 Samuel 19-ish.
What resonates with me here is that David is facing a dilemma whether he will move with conventional wisdom or make a bold claim and stand that God will do something awesome. A lot mental barriers had to be broken before he relied on conventional wisdom. David relied on God on many occassions in his life.
There are more instances in my life that I was leaning on the practical side, but there were a few instances that I made a bold move and made a stand.
| Conflict | Conventional Wisdom | Making a stand | Decision and Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pastor Danny's challenge to me: Mas malakas ba ang Diyos sa Singapore kesa sa Pilipinas? I was around 27 at this time and working as a software developer. There were times that I wanted to try going to Singapore for better opportunity. |
Go to Singapore, bigger pay, better experience. | God would bless me even if I stay in the Philippines. God is my source of blessing not "Egypt" (another country). |
I never did attempt to go out of the country. It was not King David level of turn around but God has blessed me and my family financially. I met my wife on the next job that I got in IOM. |
|
My car was hit by a drunk driver. The driver turned out to be a friend of a friend of my Dad and a dad of my high school classmate. The driver wanted me to lie that he was not drunk so that his insurance would cover the expense. I wanted the driver's insurance to cover the damage for sure, but not the expense of me lying. |
Give in, why are you being so hard? I was called by my classmate if I can lie to the insurance company.
|
Do not lie amids the pressure to do so. It is up to the insurance company whether they would cover the damages for the driver. My part is just to tell the truth. |
I didn't give in. The driver was uncooperative during the settlement. But in the end it was covered. |
Most of the time, when I made a stand, the result was a bit on the underwhelming side. There was no big reward, there was no angel giving me a high five.
But surely this sentiment resonates within my heart. I wish I had made more decisions of faith that shows that in the Lord I take my refuge. Lord will you restore this resolve in my heart. Lord will you allow me to make a stand for you. And that I may feel disgusted whenever I chickened out and relied on myself and not on you.