Psalm 55 Devotional

Wings to Fly Away

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”Psalm 55:22 (BSB)

David is overwhelmed in Psalm 55. His heart pounds, and fear of death grips him (55:4-5). He wishes for a dove's wings to fly off to the wilderness and rest, far from the storm (55:6-8). Then he names the deepest wound. An enemy's insults he could bear, but this attack comes from a close friend, someone he once walked with to God's house (55:12-14). That friend broke his covenant with smooth words that hid a sword (55:20-21).

David does not tidy up his anger. He asks God to bring death on his betrayers (55:15). But he leaves that verdict with God and keeps praying morning, noon, and night, sure that God hears (55:16-17). At the heart of the psalm is an invitation: throw your burden onto the LORD, who will hold you up (55:22). Peter echoes it, urging believers to hand every worry to God, since he cares for them (1 Peter 5:7). No dove's wings will carry you off, but God is strong enough to carry what you cannot.

To think about: What burden have you been carrying alone that you could hand over to the LORD today, perhaps more than once?