August 12th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Fight, Flight or Prayer?

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Opening Prayer

I praise You, Lord. To know You is my greatest joy, to serve You is my greatest delight.

Read Psalm 55:1-23

[1] For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; [2] hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught [3] because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger. [4] My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. [5] Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. [6] I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. [7] I would flee far away and stay in the desert; [8] I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.” [9] Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city. [10] Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. [11] Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets. [12] If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. [13] But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, [14] with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. [15] Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them. [16] As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. [17] Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. [18] He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. [19] God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change- he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God. [20] My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. [21] His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. [22] Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. [23] But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? / Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer” (Joseph Scriven, 1819-1886).

Think Further

If ever there was a psalm for anxious people, this is it. It is attributed to David at a time when he had been betrayed (12-14,20,21). He expresses with utter frankness what many of us have experienced. He is “distraught” (2), “in anguish” (4) and “overwhelmed” with horror (5). E.M. Blaiklock says that there “are few psalms more painful.” Yet in this situation he can still—or, perhaps, only—pray (1).

An obvious, even instinctive, solution is to get away. The “fight or flight” instinct is very powerful and physical, and is at work here. “Fear and trembling” have hit him (5), and if he were a dove he would fly away (6), not a response he had always advocated (11:1).The angelic choirboy sweetly singing Mendelssohn’s “O for the wings of a dove” hardly reflects the terrified David. What sort of music really would fit? Of course, in David’s desperation the dove is only the means of escape, not the solution. Much more attractive is the place to which he would be taken (7,8). What we want in a storm is shelter. Escaping doesn’t solve the problem, it just moves it elsewhere.

Instead of escaping, David prays. He prays honestly and says exactly how he feels (9,15,19). We must never think that God cannot cope with our anger. David also prays persistently—evening, morning, noon (17). Hard times do far more for our prayer relationship with God than easy times ever do. So when we cast (a forceful word) our cares on the Lord in prayer we have the assurance of his strong support (22). When all is said and done, David says, “I trust in you.” Once again, he has learned that vital lesson.

Apply

Do you know anyone experiencing anxiety who you should share this psalm with today? How might it be helpful to you today?

Closing prayer

Lord, You are ready to answer my prayers. Enable me to pray as David prayed: honestly and persistently. Like David, I want to trust You more.

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