by Rev Douglas Brauner

Where Do You Find Rest for Your Soul?

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“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.'”
Psalm 55:6-8 English Standard Version

One of the dangers of writing these devotions is that we take Scripture out of its context. Psalm 55 is a gut wrenching psalm of betrayal. King David is not hunted by an enemy, but deceived by a friend, a companion, a person with whom he had entered into a covenant.

Vail, Colorado

It’s a tough psalm to read because more than likely we’ve been there. We’ve leaned on someone we called friend, only to have a confidence broken or the reality of desertion.

It might even be that we have been that so called friend. We’ve been that person who has deserted a confidant or broken a confidence.

Where do we find rest for our souls?

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” 
Psalm 55:22 English Standard Version

Even in his frustration and anger, David found refuge in God. He didn’t find it in revenge, though his desire was for God to judge his friend. He didn’t find it in understanding why his friend became his enemy. His shelter was in God who protected him from the “raging wind and tempest.”

Jesus faced the raging wind and tempest for us, for you. This God in human flesh fought against the enemies who are always accusing us. He defeated sin, death and the devil. He is our refuge. He is our strength. He is our shelter.

May your soul find its ahhhhh in God.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado