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Everybody goes through tough times in their lives. Circumstances that are beyond our control impact each one of us, and in the chaos we find ourself in a deep, dark valley. Some people through their own choices bring trials into their lives, but many times difficulties cross our pathway that was completely outside of our control.
In Psalm 55:6, you can hear the desperate cry of King David, “My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”
King David had just been betrayed by his close friend and counsellor, Ahithophel. The significance of that would have been enough for anybody to cry out to God, but the betrayal was deeper. Davids own son Absalom had plotted with King Davids closest friend and advisor to kick David off the throne. Ahithophel joined with Absalom in destroying Davids reign as king.
In the Psalm, you can hear the extreme anguish of David’s heart after this bitter betrayal.
During this dark period of David’s life, he cries out and says. “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
When we go through these dark times, it is very tempting to wish that our troubles would melt away, or that we could magically fly away.
But David provides his response in the end of the chapter.
“As for me, I will call upon the God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice…
…Cast they burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”