Today’s reading is Psalm 55.
David spends a moment in fantasy. “If only I were a dove. I could fly away from all this. Everything would be better then.” Have you been there? Wanting to escape? How many times in the face of trial and turmoil did you try? I’m not talking about God’s way of escape in the face of temptation. I’m talking about the path of least resistance allowing you to check out for a while. I’m talking about pursuing some sin, especially a compulsive or addicting one. Fear, guilt, shame, loneliness, anger, sadness, or hurt overwhelm. Perhaps getting drunk will provide relief. That’s an obvious one, isn’t it? Maybe frivolously spending money. Perhaps committing immorality. I could down a gallon of ice cream. Raging at people works sometimes. Of course, there is the biggest of all escape attempts: suicide.
But then what? After your escape attempt plays out, what happens to the trouble? Is it gone? Are you free? Or is it worse and now you also have to deal with the consequences of your sin? Yeah. Me too.
David fantasized about escape. But he quickly put it to bed. Rather than escape, he hung in there. Notice an incredible parallel. In Psalm 55:10, the enemies circle the city’s walls day and night. How horrifying. David’s response? In Psalm 55:17: “Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.” The enemies threatened all day; David prayed all day.
From Biblical history, we know David strategized, planned, and acted in accord with God’s will when enemies confronted him. However, through prayer he sheltered in God, inviting God to wage the battles on his behalf.
I’m sure you have all kinds of plans today. Have you prayed in order to make any of your plans worthwhile?
Today’s reading is Psalm 55.
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What admonishes you in Psalm 55?
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