Daily Devotions

The Psalms are filled with the cries of those seeking rest, consolation, and contentment in the midst of distress. Take, for example, Psalm 55:4–8:

“My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, ‘O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; truly, I would flee far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter for myself from the raging wind and tempest.’”

Here we encounter a soul overwhelmed—gripped by fear, anguish, and the desire to escape. The psalmist longs not just for distance from his troubles, but for rest. He imagines the wings of a dove, a symbol of peace, carrying him away to a place of safety, solitude, and stillness. It’s a deeply human prayer—the kind that whispers, “I just need to get away… even if only for a while.”

In our own search for rest, we often turn to the wrong places—busyness masquerading as productivity, distraction disguised as peace. That’s why the words of Adam Mabry in his book The Art of Rest: Faith to Hit Pause in a World That Never Stops are so compelling. He writes:

“We express the glory of God as we experience relationship with God. We won’t declare him if we do not know him. But if we never have any time to enjoy being with him—if we’re never resting with him—then what have we to express to the world? ‘Come meet Jesus! I barely have time to be with him, but trust me, he’s great.’”

This observation resonates with the cry of Psalm 55. The psalmist begins with a plea:

“Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught 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.” (vv. 1–3)

But even in the storm, the psalm moves toward trust. It offers us this promise:

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (v. 22)

And it closes with this quiet affirmation of faith:

“But as for me, I trust in you.” (v. 23)

In this journey—from anguish to assurance—we find a pattern we can follow. We are invited to cry out, to long for rest, and then to place our burden in God’s hands.

Prayer
Lord, help me to cast my cares on you, for you have promised to sustain me.
Help me to trust you, knowing you will not let your faithful ones be shaken.
Keep me from betraying the trust of those close to me.
And where relationships are broken, give me grace to seek your healing. Amen