PAIN AND RELIEF

PSALM 55:4-7; 16-18 NKJ 
4 My heart is severely pained within me, 
And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, 
And horror has overwhelmed me. 
6 So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! 
I would fly away and be at rest. 
7 Indeed, I would wander far off, 
And remain in the wilderness. Selah 
 
16 As for me, I will call upon God, 
And the Lord shall save me. 
17 Evening and morning and at noon 
I will pray, and cry aloud, 
And He shall hear my voice. 
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, 
For there were many against me. 
 

OBSERVATION:

This is a psalm of David, and it is obvious that he is in a painful situation.  

"My heart is severely pained within me..." "Terrors of death have fallen upon me." Fearfulness and trembling and horror. 

David admitted to being overwhelmed with the magnitude of his situation. His next statements are a common response to being slammed by serious problems.  

He wished for wings like a dove so that he could escape his troubles and be at rest. If he could just wander far off into the wilderness. The wilderness was the place no one lived. He would not have to deal with his problems, and he could have relief. At least he could find some level of peace.   

But David is not ready to throw in the towel. He is not going to give up, and in verse 16, we see a shift in his expression. 

Despite all the pressure of oppression and betrayal, David will not call it quits. Instead, he calls upon God to help him. And I love David's confidence when he says, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. David was able to reel in his raging emotions and regroup.   

In essence, David has ceased to complain and reached out to God.  

David is intent on praying about his situation because he mentions praying three times a day. And he mentions that God will hear his voice. So in David's mind, he is not simply praying to be praying; he is praying and expecting God to come through for him.   

APPLICATION: 

We've heard of fight or flight. It has been presented as a one or the other response.   

But if we follow David, we can make a case for both. We fight the good fight of faith. Our consistent prayers are one important way this is accomplished. But we also run to God for refuge and peace. We are not escaping into the wilderness; we are running to God.   

There are painful situations in life. But there is a God who never leaves or forsakes us, and He can redeem our soul in peace from the battles we face.   

PRAYER: 

Thank you, Father, for Your peace when I deal with pain. I don't have to use external things to escape. I can go to You for help.