One thing I like about King David — he seems to say out loud what everyone else simply thinks.
This verse in Psalms 55 is one example of King David’s boldness:
Is this a bold statement? Yes, it is a bold cry for escape!!
King David wished he could escape from something. He wanted to escape from ‘the windy storm and tempest‘ (an angry and violent commotion), to escape from the ‘violence and strife‘, and from the ‘deceit and guile‘ that he saw all around him (Psalms 55:9-11). Any reasonable, godly person would desire to escape such an evil upheaval of things as David describes.
Escaping turmoil, violence, and wickedness remains a passionate desire of all those who long to walk in the true and righteous pathway of Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God].
Psalms 55 tells it like it is! King David sees all around him the wickedness of the evil-doers of his day, and he wants no part of it! He boldly declares his desire for wings to escape, and flee into the quiet solitude of the wilderness.
King David is not alone in this desire.
The prophet Jeremiah wanted to flee the wickedness of his day (Jeremiah 9:2). The prophet Micah groaned over the wicked people of his day (Micah 7:1-4). Righteous Lot was vexed with the filthy, wicked behavior of his day (2Peter 2:7). Many of the prophets probably had moments of wishing for escape from the distressing evil of their day.
Truth is Fallen
When wickedness overtakes a land, it is as the prophet Isaiah declared:
This passage describes the depressing conditions of Isaiah’s surroundings. But sadly, it also aptly describes the conditions of this 21st century.
This passage from Isaiah describes what happens when “truth is fallen”!
When truth is fallen, people have ceased from walking in the truth of Yahuwah’s written Word.
When truth falls, people begin to walk in open opposition to Yahuwah’s Word, walking in the ways of the wicked!
When people cease from walking in God’s truth, then righteousness, tranquillity, and safety begin to crumble. When truth falls, many things become perverted and are out of order.
When truth falls, multitudes begin to live foolishly, having no shame, doing whatever is “right in their own eyes!” (Proverbs 12:15; Zephaniah 3:5; Judges 17:6)
When truth falls, leaders distort and reject the Words of Yahuwah. When truth falls, many have no respect for, or fear of, the Living God.
And, when truth falls, those who desire to walk uprightly, seeking to live according to God’s righteous standards, then they become the focus of attacks, mockings, and persecutions.
It is perfectly normal for Yahuwah’s people to be burdened beyond strength and are fearful as they see the foundations of society destroyed. Many of us wish for wings to fly away — wishing to escape the perversity, the deception, and the oppression all around us. Sadly, King David’s desire to ‘fly away’ will never be outdated.
“The things of this world are out of course! Sin is rampant, the saints are wronged, they are often defeated in a righteous cause for they can meet with no justice here in this world. But there is a Day coming, when God will set things right! He will do every man justice; He will crown the righteous and condemn the wicked. ‘God has appointed a Day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man [Yahushua Messiah (Jesus Christ)] whom He appointed, having given proof unto all men by raising Him from the dead.’ (Acts 17:31).” — Thomas Watson
Yes, there are troubles and trials in all ages. Afflictions in this life are so constant that we can agree with Eliphaz the Temanite: People are born to have trouble! (Job 5:7a)
But perhaps, in the midst of today’s troubles, in this 21st century, the desire to fly away and escape is the Holy Spirit’s whisper, warning us of what Father has told us through the prophets Hosea and Isaiah:
As these verses reveal, the prophets’ words are a current, modern-day description — no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God!
Are we in that time when Father is about to bring the fury of His judgment on the land, and yet He urges His own people to hide themselves?
Or is it just a coward’s desire, to want to fly away and escape?
Either way, I will admit my secret desire: “Oh that I had wings like a dove, so that I could fly away!!”
King David was not ashamed to admit his anguish and the fearfulness of being surrounded by wickedness on all sides. It takes courage to honestly recognize and admit our own anxieties and our overwhelming fears in this dark and wicked time in history. Many of us tremble as we can see Father’s wrath on the horizon.
When King David admitted his intense fearfulness, he most likely sought to escape to a quiet place to ‘Be Still‘ before God (Psalm 46:10) so that he could hear the heavenly Father’s guidance and comfort. When David was alone and quiet with God, he could then begin to remember something — the lovingkindness of Yahuwah! I suspect that David began to recall to his rememberance the multiple times when Father had given David mercy, rescue, and help: “For He [Yahuwah] has delivered me out of all trouble” (Psalms 54:7a; see also Psalms 18:1-3; 22:5; 34:4; 55:18; 56:13; 86:13; 116:8).
As For Me
David knew there was no safety within his own abilities (Psalms 33:16-19). So when he saw the surrounding turmoil, he eagerly acknowledged his one and only pathway of deliverance and hope:
King David called upon the Mighty One of Israel, Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God].
Calling upon Yahuwah, with a true and sincere heart, is how we will find the anchor of hope through the angry and violent commotion!
Calling upon Yahuwah helps us remember that the infinite, omnipresent, Almighty God, is well able to give us the grace, the help, and the safety we need:
“You [Yahuwah] are the God who does wonders! (Psalms 77:14a)
“God is able to make all grace abound toward you!” (2Corinthians 9:8a; see also Philippians 1:6)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble!” (Psalms 46:1)
There is no safety or rescue in my own abilities! My own abilities, my own righteousness will not deliver me! So I will seek a quiet place and “Be still before Yahuwah [the LORD] and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7), because my protection and guidance is firmly grounded in our loving and righteous Saviour, Yahushua the Messiah!
And, as King David urges us to do, let us bow our knees before our Mighty One, and call upon our heavenly Father in these dark and perilous times that we live in:
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Related Articles:
- The Holy Spirit – Our Amazing Comforter
- Enduring Our Trials
- Seeking God With All Our Heart
- One Lost Out of Hundreds
- The Missing Link to Finding Happiness
- When We Are Weak – remembering Father’s purposes in choosing us
- Where Can I Find Help In My Time of Need?
- Under His Wings I Shall Trust
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Cold Waters to a Thirsty Soul
Cold Waters to a Thirsty Soul 
Love this teaching, thank you!
Thank you Susan, for your comment. It is encouraging to know that others understand my secret desire for wings. Escape seems cowardly. But with the increase of turmoil and troubles in these days, I must continually remind myself of Father’s goodness for His children: “Oh how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for them that fear You; which You have wrought for them that trust in You before the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret of Your presence from the pride of man: You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.” (Psalms 31:19,20) HalleluYAH!
Blessings and Shalom to you and your household!