Day 71 with David: The Lord can lift you up above the storm.

“My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55:4-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

My father enjoyed observing clouds, storms, the ocean, etc. He saw God’s glory in the power of nature. He often commented on birds—such as hawks—riding thermals high up in the sky. (Thermals are columns of rising air caused by the fact that the air in the column is warmer than the air around it.) Additionally, larger birds often use the thermals to take them up away from storms. Case in point, rather than running from storms (eagles know when a storm is coming), eagles actually use the energy of the storm to be lifted above the severe turbulence. Eagles will find a high place on which to wait until the thermals begin to form. Then, spreading their wings out very far, they allow the warm column of rising air to take them up above the storm, using the storm to their advantage. So, while the storm may be raging below them, they are using the energy of the storm to keep them safely gliding above it.

Think about it, if the eagle tried—in its own power, desperately flapping its wings—to keep the winds of the storm from slamming it into something, it would probably end up very injured, if not dead.

I’m guessing you already know we’re not just talking about eagles; we’re talking about us. Storms—even great storms—come into our lives. At this point in time, great storms are coming from all over the world as we are living in the Last Days before the coming of Jesus Christ. It would be very easy for your heart to be overwhelmed if you try—in your own power—to make it through difficult times. As a matter of fact, the Lord never intended that we go it on our own, but rather, that we turn to Him for help.

In our portion from Psalms today we see David expressing the pain of a very broken heart amid the stress being brought from many sides by his oppressors. In this particular case, the situation seems to be exacerbated by the fact that the ones coming against him were one-time friends. He expresses what I know we have all felt at times: that we would like to take wings and just fly away from it all. In saying that he would like to be able to go into the wilderness, he’s referencing the solitude and peace found there, away from the attacks of these former friends. But as with all things, David takes this to the Lord and finds solace for his soul.

So, whatever the storms may be in your life, remember, God never intended for you to make it on your own. Also know, trying to run from the storms may prove to be your undoing. Rather, allow the Lord to use the storm for your benefit. Let us wait in the high place of His presence; and, at just the right time, He will enable us to spread our wings to be brought higher without so much as a struggle.

For today let us know and understand what David knew:

The Lord can lift you up above the storm.

#100dayswithdavid