As I observe and speak with people, I find so many are carrying burdens
that make life tedious and difficult. Although the adversities differ, the
distress, heartaches, and frustration appear to be the same. The difficulties
are beyond the reach of their control, and the result is mental, emotional,
and spiritual stress. They understand David's state when he said, "Oh that
I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest."
When David penned the fifty-fifth Psalm, the storm brewing in his soul
pushed him into distraction and restlessness. Emotionally, he was in anguish
and his nerves were a mess. He wanted to escape reality, and God seemed so
far away. David was on the brink of bitterness and in danger of giving up.
But he did not give up! Instead he became more persistent. Rather than
diminishing prayer, he increased it. "As for me, I will call upon 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." He knew the principle we need to
apply. Pray harder when it is hardest to pray.
David's persistence in prayer brought him back to another principle he
knew. God does not always keep us from troubles, but he will preserve
us in troubles. What an encouraging help it was when David realized
God had " delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me!"
David was strengthened when he understood God " shall never suffer the righteous
to be moved."
Finally, the raging storm in David's soul calmed. When he ultimately regained his trust in God's providential care for him, David's mental and emotional stress subsided. The circumstance did not change, but his spiritual condition did. That was the real problem all along. His troubles did not disappear, but in patience he was able to leave his heartaches, disappointments and frustrations at the throne of grace. He invites us to do the same with the challenge, " Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee."