PSALM 55:6-8: “So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.” NKJV
OBSERVATION: I want out! I want out of this relationship. I want out of this crummy job. I want out of this responsibility. I want out of this church. I want out of this marriage. I want out of this trial and struggle.
I WANT OUT!
Have you ever felt like this? Are you feeling like this now? What a wonderful comfort the Word of God is to us at times like this. It reminds us that we are not alone. Even a man after God’s own heart, King David, wanted out! If he could, he would be lifted up from all his problems on the wings of a dove, and just fly away from the windy storm and tempest he was facing.
YET, THIS IS NEVER THE REALITY!
We cannot escape our problems. We can try. Many people leave jobs, marriages, responsibilities, churches, relationships, and locations. They think they can simply run from the problem and get a new clean start somewhere new, or with someone new. Yet, they have forgotten one important thing. When they run away from these circumstances they run away with the same heart that they had in the circumstances they are trying to escape.
A HEART CHANGE IS WHAT IS NEEDED!
David was facing one of the greatest trials anyone can go through. It was the betrayal of a dear and close friend.
- “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.” Psalms 55:12-14 NKJV
As a pastor I know this pain. It is one of the most painful experiences any pastor or person can face. Someone whom you have confided in, someone you have trusted, someone you have poured your heart and life into – becomes your enemy. Without explanation, without an apparent cause, you are suddenly cut off. All attempts at reconciliation are rejected. You feel alone, confused, deeply wounded, and lost.
In the ministry this is where many pastors leave their churches. Pastors are no different than anyone else. They think that a new opportunity will fix the problem. It doesn’t. We can never run from our problems.
WE NEED TO FACE OUR PROBLEMS!
When you read the remainder of Psalm 55 it has some pretty tough and raw language. David wants to see God judge those who are his enemies. This was common in many of the Psalms and it is an honest assessment of how we often feel.
HOWEVER, DAVID NEVER TOOK ACTION ON HIS FEELINGS!
David entrusted His care and God’s dealings with those who had hurt him – to God alone!
- “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.” Psalms 55:22-23 NKJV
From a New Testament perspective we understand that we should pray for our enemies to be saved and restored. We don’t want to be like James and John, the sons of Thunder, calling down fire from heaven to consume them! Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Jesus also came to heal the broken-hearted. And when we are broken-hearted, when we feel like we are trapped in a corner, when there looks like no way out…
WE NEED TO CAST OUR BURDEN ON THE LORD!
David, in faith proclaims – “…And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” I have found that running from my problems never works. It only creates new and greater problems. Yet, when I cast my cares upon the Lord, when I determine to stand steadfast in the faith, and when I come to Him in humility and surrender…
HE ALWAYS MEETS ME WITH HIS GRACE!
Lord, this morning there are things that I wish I could fly away from. Yet, I come to You in humility and surrender and ask You for grace to cast all my cares upon You. And, as I cast my cares upon You today…
HELP ME NOT TO PICK THEM UP AGAIN!
In Jesus Name!
