Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; 2 hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught 3 at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. 5 Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. 6 I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest--7 I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah  8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."

When I was a child I had a secret fort. When life got really bad (when things didn’t go my way) I would go hide in my fort. It was there that I could go and feel safe. As an adult there have been times that I have, as the Psalmist, wished for wings of a dove to fly away and find peace – far away from the tempest and storm of life. Some have turned to alcohol or other drugs to find this escape. Many more just turn to the TV or computer or a book and lock the world outside. One problem with any escape is we must eventually return to the realities of our lives and face our foes.

While all of us must face the storms of life, we have been given assurance that God is with us and will see us thru. Instead of escape, we need wisdom and strength. Instead of fictitious peace we need the true peace that only God can give. God has promised he will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear but with each temptation (trouble, trial, storm or tempest) he will provide a way of escape. When we really believe this promise, we can face each new day with complete confidence that everything will work out for us. In fact, not only will it work out but God has said it will work for our good! This removes every reason for us to spend sleepless nights because of the storms we are facing.

This is how the Apostle Paul could sit wrongfully imprisoned and pen the words: “I have learned to be content – no matter what the circumstances.” He then explains that: “I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength.” This faith did not release him from prison but it sustained him and empowered him to write one of the most encouraging books ever written – the epistle to the Philippians. “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

O God, please give me the peace that only you can give. Open my heart so your Spirit can find welcome lodging and my life can continue to be changed. Help me to kill the desires of the flesh and allow your Spirit’s fruit to flourish in my life. Give me wisdom to understand, strength to act and peace to rest. Forgive my failures and my lack of trust. In Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we trust and obey him today.