I wrote recently about the many birds that come into our back yard. They are all beautiful to watch and though we do not feed them, they must know how much they are appreciated by their daily return.
A number of them are doves; whenever I take time to sit and watch them I notice that each bird, or group, have preferences as far as what they want to indulge in. We have lost a few young plants to their selectivity of approach, but we do not let it bother us.
The dove is mentioned frequently in the Bible. Perhaps the most catching account is found in relationship to Noah sending one out of the Ark to test the levels of water. (Genesis 8) For the romantic readers they probably love the reference in Song of Solomon where there is the reference to the lady who has eyes like those of a dove. We all have our reasons for selected texts for moments that fit the occasion.
The Psalmist writes of the weighty problems that beset him in Psalm 55. At least he does the right thing he goes to God and cries out in the middle of his distress. He speaks about his supplications and asks that God would not hide from him or fail to heed him and answer him. He is desperate!
As one looks at his selection of words, I am conscious of Psalm 140:10 where we have the idea of “rolling mischief” on an individual. He has “hit bottom”!
It is then that we read: “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. I would hasten to my place of refuge, from the stormy wind and tempest.”
It is doubtful that there is not someone reading these words from Psalm 55 that has not questioned the sincerity of his friends, his colleagues, those who were his support who have now obviously turned against him.
I suggest you turn your thinking to the Lord, as was the case of David. The words of v16 and some verses that follow are certainly the keys to the lock: “As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which against me, for they are many who strive with me. God will hear and answer them—even the one who sits enthroned from of old—with whom there is no change, and who do not fear God.”
I purposely left out one word after “old”—it is the word Selah! It simply means “Think on these things!”
ETCetera 