Beloved Kinney,
For yesterday’s Bible reading in the plan on our church app, I read Psalm 55. Over the years, I’ve gone to this Psalm when I’ve felt tempted towards “escapism”—the desire to escape from my burdens and troubles to something that won’t ultimately provide the comfort or rest I’m looking for. Do you know what I’m talking about?
When you are burdened by life’s troubles, when you are weighed down by busyness, when you feel stuck in a bad situation, when you’re overwhelmed with guilt because of sin…where do you run? Where do you go for comfort? Where do you turn for rest? What do you escape to?
Too often we escape to things that only feed our sense of insecurity and instability, or at least they don’t help. What is that for you? It could be “extreme” escapes like drugs, alcohol, or porn.
But more often, it’s things that seem harmless—social media, TV, overeating, oversleeping. It could even be good things, but we make them our god—family, friends, exercise, work,
hobbies.
Psalm 55 captures the experience of those who long to escape from whatever trouble they’re facing: “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, ‘Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.’” (vv4-8)
Do you ever feel like that? “I wish I could just escape from it all!” What is the Psalmist’s solution to the desire to escape? Mediate on these words: “But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, because they do not change and do not fear God…Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Wow. Are there better words to hear in those moments when you’re tempted to escape to
things that will not bring you the comfort you’re looking for? Escape to God. Cast your burdens on him. He REALLY does hear you. And he will save you in the day of trouble. Amen.
Love,
Pastor Josh
For yesterday’s Bible reading in the plan on our church app, I read Psalm 55. Over the years, I’ve gone to this Psalm when I’ve felt tempted towards “escapism”—the desire to escape from my burdens and troubles to something that won’t ultimately provide the comfort or rest I’m looking for. Do you know what I’m talking about?
When you are burdened by life’s troubles, when you are weighed down by busyness, when you feel stuck in a bad situation, when you’re overwhelmed with guilt because of sin…where do you run? Where do you go for comfort? Where do you turn for rest? What do you escape to?
Too often we escape to things that only feed our sense of insecurity and instability, or at least they don’t help. What is that for you? It could be “extreme” escapes like drugs, alcohol, or porn.
But more often, it’s things that seem harmless—social media, TV, overeating, oversleeping. It could even be good things, but we make them our god—family, friends, exercise, work,
hobbies.
Psalm 55 captures the experience of those who long to escape from whatever trouble they’re facing: “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, ‘Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.’” (vv4-8)
Do you ever feel like that? “I wish I could just escape from it all!” What is the Psalmist’s solution to the desire to escape? Mediate on these words: “But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, because they do not change and do not fear God…Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Wow. Are there better words to hear in those moments when you’re tempted to escape to
things that will not bring you the comfort you’re looking for? Escape to God. Cast your burdens on him. He REALLY does hear you. And he will save you in the day of trouble. Amen.
Love,
Pastor Josh
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