19th. March. 2022. Daily Devotion.

I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! would fly away and be at rest.  I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.’ Psalm 55:6-8

What turmoil the psalmist experienced here! Enemies watched him constantly, eager to threaten and accuse whenever they could. The worst part was that some of them were people he had trusted as friends.

Our inner storms can be intense when we are betrayed by someone close to us. In storms like that, we often cannot think straight. We question everything. Where can a solution be found?

The writer of this psalm wanted the same solution we would—to get away. How wonderful it would be to fly away like a bird when we are faced with betrayal. It would be such a relief to leave all our troubles behind, to unplug from all the challenges.

But that was not possible for the psalmist. Enemies dogged him again and again. The threats on his life continued.

Have you felt the sting of betrayal by someone who was close to you? Perhaps you are living in that kind of storm now.

At the end of the psalm, the writer provides the wisest response we can give in situations like this: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.” Whether we can fly away from our enemies or not, we can give our burdens over to the Lord, and we can trust in him to set things right.

Lord, please heal our minds and hearts. We give our burdens over to you. Forgive us our sins and help us to forgive the people who have sinned against us. Amen.

From the throne of your glory, O Lord, send forth your wisdom to live in our hearts, to be at work in our lives and to speak in our conscience; that our thoughts, words, and actions may be according to your will and reveal your glory; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Aelred of Rievaulx (c.1109-1167)

God of the wild places and margins, give us the grace to honour those who are different. God of the dispossessed and empty, give us humility to value in others the things we lack. God of the spiritually poor and cynical, give us the self-awareness to avoid arrogance. God of the aggressive and defensive, give us the courage and patience to love unconditionally God of ourselves, give us the tenderness to see ourselves as you see us. Amen.

A prayer for all those caught up in conflict

We pray for all whose lives have been touched by tragedy, whether by accident or a deliberate act. For those who mourn, immerse them in your love and lead them through this darkness into your arms, and light.

For those who comfort, be in both the words they use and all that’s left unspoken; fill each heart with love. We ask this through Jesus Christ, whose own suffering brought us life, here and for eternity. Amen. John Birch