Reach For ...

Read: Psalm 55:1-7,22

Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. --- Psalm 55:6

The Bible In One Year:
Job 3-4
Acts 7:44-60

A TV commercial asks, "What do you reach for when you're stressed?" Then it suggests, "Reach for [our product]."

The number of ways people try to deal with serious stresses in life are as numerous as there are people. Having a drink. Blaming God. Stuffing ourselves with food. Keeping our feelings inside. Blaming others. These responses might calm us, but they're just a temporary means of escaping our problems. No product we reach for can take them away.

In Psalm 55, King David described his desire to escape from his difficulties: "My heart is severely pained within me ... Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest" [vv.4,6]. After the betrayal of his friend and counselor Ahithophel, who had gone to help his enemy, David wanted to get away [vv.12-13; see 2 Sam. 15]. In this psalm he tells us that he reached out to God in his pain [vv.4-5,16].

What do we reach for? Author Susan Lenzkes suggests that we reach out to the Lord and pour out our heart to Him. She writes, "It's all right --- questions, pain, and stabbing anger can be poured out to the Infinite One and He will not be damaged.... For we beat on His chest from within the circle of His arms." --- Anne Cetas

Christian, when your way seems darkest,
When your eyes with tears are dim,
Straight to God your Father hastening,
Tell your troubles all to Him. --- Anon.

WHEN WE PUT OUR CARES INTO GOD'S HANDS, HE PUTS HIS PEACE INTO OUR HEARTS.