“…oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest…” (Psalm 55:6, ESV)
Flying away and hiding out may sound like the easy way to deal with life’s problems. As the storm rages around us, we are desperate to find shelter from it…far, far away from it. And so, we fly away and wander far, seeking shelter in people, places, and things to numb the pain. To distract us. Delight us. Deliver us from our problems.
But this is only a temporary solution for the storm still rages. Following us. Locked within us. Exploding from us.
No matter what we have done, no matter where we have gone, we can call out to our Heavenly Father. He knows exactly where we are and is not far from each one of us. (Acts 17:27) He WILL save us.
“But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.” (Psalm 55:16, ESV)
A saving that is not only physical – rescuing us out of, defending us in, delivering us from. His saving is also mental saving – giving us self-confidence and truth. And emotional saving – giving us peace and courage and love. And spiritual saving – giving us eternal salvation and victory in Christ.
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22, ESV)
The Hebrew word for sustain, “kul,” means to comprehend, contain. God comprehends what we are going through and will contain us close beside Him, protecting and proving for us. He will hold our heaviness. Be present in our pain. Feeding us when we are hungry. Guiding us when we are lost. Providing for our every need.
He will save us. He will sustain us. But we must make the first move.
Notice the first half of verses 16 and 22…
“But I call to God..." In our trouble, we must first call out to God. Not Siri, Alexa, or Google. Not friends or family. Not the bottle, remote control, or pillow. “God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, GNT)
Call out to Yahweh. Cry out to our Heavenly Father. Proclaim His Name and invite Him into our heart and life. Every pain, problem, and praise.
“Cast your burden on the LORD..." Second, we must cast our burdens on Him. Cast all of our pain and problems, worry and stress, shame and regret, at His feet. Cast it…and Let. It. Go.
“…I will trust in You.” (Psalm 55:23, ESV)
God wants us to trust Him. To freely come to Him and love Him. Not because we HAVE to, but because we WANT to.
Trust in Who He is. Trust in His love for you. Trust in what He has done and will do for you. Let go of every burden, and lay it at the foot of the cross. And then, beloved…and then!...with empty hands fly toward His open arms and be at rest.
~ Jess Hall
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