When David is overwhelmed by his circumstances, he wishes to escape.
He writes,
Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest;
yes, I would wander far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness;
I would hurry to find a shelter
from the raging wind and tempest.
(Psalm 55:6-8)
I have to admit I have felt this way this week. Life is overwhelming at present. I find myself deeply grieved, losing sleep, and not wanting to eat. I feel this way not because of busy schedules, but because loved ones are struggling, the world is full of crooks trying to rip me off, my body hurts, the future is uncertain, and on and on.
When life is overwhelming, escape is an appealing option. But I’m encouraged by how David regroups:
But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he hears my voice. (Psalm 55:16-17)
David understands that he can’t flee his circumstances, but he can flee to the Lord. Instead of wallowing in the mire of self-pity, he calls out to God. This is the ultimate escape. The same is true for me. God’s comfort is the only way out of my despair.
David continues,
Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)
There is no need to escape the circumstances He has purposefully orchestrated for me, for He has promised to use them for my good. Instead, I escape my grief by seeking Him.
I flee to Him.
I call out to Him.
I exalt Him.
I take comfort in Him.
I trust His sovereign hand.
I enter His rest.
The last line of Psalm 55 says it all. David simply declares, “I will trust in you.”
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