O That I Had Wings Like a Dove!
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O That I Had Wings Like a Dove!
When sadness and troubles overwhelm us, our natural desire is to just get away from it all. If we could just fly away and forget about all that is going on, then maybe things would be okay again. King David felt exactly that way when friends — at least he thought they were friends — tried to do him in. David was afraid for his life and wanted to get away, where he would be safe — and not have to think about such traitors in his life. That’s when he wrote Psalm 55. In verses 6-8, David wrote,
And I said, “O that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
Behold, I would wander far away,
I would lodge in the wilderness.
I would hasten to my place of refuge
From the stormy wind and tempest.
We all come upon times of troubles when we just wish we could “fly away and be at rest.” All sorts of troubles can make us feel that way. But, with David, it was a supposed friend wanting to kill him. So, in Psalm 55:12-14, David cries,
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 myself from him.
But it is you, a man my equal,
My companion and my familiar friend.
We who had sweet fellowship together,
Walked in the house of God in the throng.
David knew that God was his only recourse. Only the Lord could rightfully take care of a situation like that. As David described his “friend“, he wrote in verses 20-21,
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him;
He has violated his covenant.
His speech was smoother than butter,
But his heart was war;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.
This “friend“ had never really been a friend at all. That cut David down to the core. He had trusted this guy, but it was all a scheme to take David down. David felt so helpless and dejected in this sickening situation. There was only one thing he could do. He writes in verse 22,
Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
In this world, we can never really “fly away and be at rest” from all of our troubles. They will always hound us and stick like glue. But, we can do as David did, and cast our burdens on our LORD and Savior. When we do this by faith, with thanksgiving and praise, our Lord certainly “will sustain you.” We can truly rest in the power and love of our Redeemer. We can rest because God is almighty, and in His righteousness “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
All things are possible with God — and nothing is impossible. That is why David cast his burdens on the LORD — and that is why God loved David for his humble dependence upon our Savior.
With all our burdens in the Lord’s care, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, You know how crushed we can be with this world’s troubles. Thank You for taking our burdens upon Yourself and for making us pure and holy in Your sight.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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