The Big Escape!
Let’s face it…all of us have experienced those times when we felt overwhelmed with life’s stuff! The cares of this life and the suffering that our Nation has undergone with the pandemic alone has been both shocking and draining. The death, the suffering, the fear, the panic, you name it. Even for those who are intimately acquainted with our Lord can testify that we are in times when we want to do as the Psalmist cried out to “take the wings of a dove, fly away, and be at rest.
You see, David who was an extravagant worshipper, was in distress many times in his life. Lets look at a few key verses in Psalm 55 and we will see that David wanted to escape the pain of life, but he overcame by remembering who God is and holding on to what he Knew about his Lord.
1 Listen to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication!
2 Attend to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and must moan
3 [And I am distracted] at the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threats of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, and in wrath they persecute me.
4 My heart is grievously pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling have come upon me; horror and fright have overwhelmed me.
6 And I say, Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
7 Yes, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
8 I would hasten to escape and to find a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.
I love the Amplified version of this chapter. In a nutshell, David was depressed, felt hopeless and distracted from everyday life. If you are feeling this way, take heart. Know that you are not alone. Others feel the same way. Even the man after God’s own heart felt like he was drifting away! What can be done? I believe that verses 16-18 of this chapter 55 gives us an answer.
16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon will I utter my complaint and moan and sigh, and He will hear my voice.
18 He has redeemed my life in peace from the battle that was against me [so that none came near me], for they were many who strove with me.
Find time in the morning, at noon, and in the evening to PRAY! It does not have to be long prayers. Complain, cry, and voice your heart to God. He will hear. He will answer. He will deliver your soul in peace so that you can face you today and your tomorrow.
This has been Denise Cook-Godfrey, and I am praying for you…Stay established firmly in the Word of God and you will make it through whatever noisy wind storm that is blowing your way.