Have you ever wished you could just fly away to someplace where the cares and burdens of this life could not reach you? Or perhaps have your own remote island, far away from the noise and vitriol that envelops us today?
I must confess that escaping to such a place, where evil and hurt cannot be found is becoming an all too frequent wish of mine.
When I think of the fear, anguish, and overwhelming anxiety so prevalent in the world today I am drawn to thoughts of a place that Jesus said he had gone to prepare for us.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. [1]
That sounds like exactly the place I’m longing for. Truthfully, I don’t even care about the mansion part, it’s that last part that has me captivated.
Trouble, pain, and fear don’t only come calling to the average person like you and me, of course. The Psalmist David also knew what it felt like to have the world come crashing in all around him.
Having fallen from the lofty heights of the throne of Israel when he committed adultery and murder, David was surrounded by his enemies, including those of his own family.
Out of his anguish and distress he cried aloud “O that I had wings to fly like a dove, for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness”. Selah [2]
I cannot begin to tell you how compelling it sounds to be able to wander far away and remain hidden, away from the evil turmoil of this age. Can any of you relate?
Of course, one does not have to commit adultery, murder, or any other egregious sin in order to feel the pressures of life weighing heavily upon them.
Life, all by itself, is often more than enough to cause us to become weary and discouraged. The oppressive isolation brought about due to the pandemic for example has left many of us drained and stressed. Who among us hasn’t felt this way?
Thanks be to God, however, that we can rise above the feelings of hopelessness and despair. David himself reminds us that God is our sustainer and burden bearer.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. [3]
It’s true, many of us would rather take to the air and fly away from all of the problems this life presents to us. Unfortunately, the last time I checked that was not an option. Instead, we can look to Scripture for support and encouragement.
Paul, in his wonderful exhortation to the Ephesians, tells us the position we must take when facing the storms of this life. He told them no less than three times to “stand”.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [4]
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [5]
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [6]
So, rather than wish we could fly away like the beautiful doves that are always at my house, God has called us to make our stand with Him.
I encourage everyone to spend an hour or two this week searching the Scriptures for examples of how that our God is a helper and sustainer to those who call out to Him.
I believe you will come away strengthened and encouraged by what you find.
Be blessed in Jesus name!
Ron
[1] John 14:2,3
[2] Psalm 55:6,7
[3] Psalm 55:22
[4] Eph. 6:11
[5] Eph. 6:13
[6] Eph. 6:14
Jun 21, 2020 @ 13:55:14
What a beautiful and encouraging message, Ron! Surely God put this on your heart. We have mourning doves here, too. I love their sound.
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Jun 21, 2020 @ 21:45:14
Oh yes Anna, I too love to hear them. We have them trying to nest in our short palm trees closest to the house. Recently we’ve had a pair begin to build a nest right above our front door ledge but I had to scare them away because of the mess they made. They are also seen sitting together on the ground or on the wires at the street. The sounds they make are so calming.
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Jun 21, 2020 @ 21:55:55
Hope you had a terrific Father’s Day!
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Jun 21, 2020 @ 22:02:37
I did Anna, and thank you!
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Jun 25, 2020 @ 23:07:23
Finally had a chance to read this post after working many long shifts. A very encouraging word as I have cried out to the Lord for His wisdom and strength.
Thank you for caring and sharing God’s truth. ❤
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Jun 26, 2020 @ 17:10:29
So glad it was an encouragement to you! God will surely grant you the wisdom and strength you have asked for.
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Jul 03, 2020 @ 15:45:01
We have the blessed hope that, someday soon, be it by death or Rapture, that we will be with the Lord! I don’t have a death wish, but I long to be free of this old world! The temptation, the evil around me, the sinfulness of humanity, the pain of loss, and the weight and stresses of life will all soon disappear when we are with Him!
One day, we will fly away from all of this! (“Some glad morning, when this life is over, I’ll fly away”…. And, ” What a day that shall be, when my Jesus I shall see”)
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Jul 03, 2020 @ 22:41:51
This world is not my home. That fact is driven home to me each and every day as I watch the carnage taking place in this country.
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