On the mission trip, I kept referring to Psalm 55 as the Forrest Gump Psalm,
55:6-7
"I say to myself,
I wish I had wings like a dove!
I’d fly away and rest.
7 I’d run so far away!
I’d live in the desert."
All joking aside, I know those days. When you want to be anywhere but here. When you need to fly far, far away from here. Don't you?
Worse, it wasn't his enemy that was doing the evil, but his friend. I have seen, heard, felt that so often. That the people we love most often hurt us the deepest. When you start to be ignored. When you aren't invited somewhere. When they stab you in the back. When they cheat or lie or steal. It breaks my heart. But in times like that--we have a God who hears us. A God who is there to comfort and protect and love us. We are not alone, even when we feel alone. That's the comfort of these Psalms. That we can cry, and scream, and love, and be frustrated, and yet God is still there.
Psalm 56 brings us that conclusion. That promise. Did you catch it?
56:12-13
"I will fulfill my promises to you, God.
I will present thanksgiving offerings to you
13 because you have saved my life from death,
saved my feet from stumbling
so that I can walk before God in the light of life."
I will present thanksgiving offerings to you
13 because you have saved my life from death,
saved my feet from stumbling
so that I can walk before God in the light of life."
Thankful and praying--
Pastor Emily
3 comments:
I love that you referred to Psalm 55 as the Forrest Gump psalm . . . perfect imagery!
This psalm has a particular sentiment for me; I think all of us, at one time or another, are betrayed by a loved one. There is nothing like that pain. But, we are reminded, as you point out here, that God will save us from death and stumbling. We can ever trust in Him and know He will be faithful.
Blessings!
I am always interested to note how David calls for not only God's support of himself when he is pursued and persecuted by his friends but also for God to punish those who oppose him. "Let death take my enemies by surprise" he says and later "But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days." I realize these are different times but how often do we wish for evil outcomes for those who persecute us? How does this conflict with Jesus' admonition to pray for our enemies? Just thinking out loud..
In 56:8 he asks if his tears are listed on God's scroll. I like the picture of God keeping record of my tears. So 55:22 reminds me to "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you." If we give our cares to God he can count and record them and we can give them up!
56:21- "His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart." We need God's peace in our hearts to keep us from hurting others with our words and actions.
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