The Victory of the Cross of Christ

COVER LETTER

“IF I ONLY HAD WINGS.”

David cried, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest” (Psalm 55:6). He added, “Then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness” (verse 7).

For David at this time, life had become too hectic, too busy, too overwhelming. He was enduring awful lies from the enemy of his soul — the very voice of the enemy, he said. His heart was also sorely pained by what he saw happening in the world around him. There was great violence and strife, and so much wickedness, deceit and sorrow among the people. It became so overwhelming for David that he pleaded with God, “Hide not thyself” (verse 1).

As David considered it all, he cried out in great weariness of soul and spirit: “I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest” (verse 8). He beseeched the Lord, “Attend unto me [listen]…I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise” (verse 2). David was admitting his soul was restless and distracted by it all.

Beloved, do this godly man’s words speak to you at this present time? I think of mothers of school-age children, worn down by the ever-increasing pressures and demands of the times. I honestly do not know how mothers with children hold up under such busyness. Many become so tired they yearn for just a day away from it all. “If I only had wings…”

I think of husbands and fathers who listen to the news with alarm, weighed down by cares on all sides. David said that in such times “fearfulness and trembling are come upon me” (verse 5). He spoke for such men when he wrote, “Oh, if I had wings, I would fly away and rest.”

It is no sin to cry out, “Oh, God, I need a break. I need a time of quiet, peace and sunshine.” David concluded, “As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me” (verses 16–18).

When David wrote this Psalm, he was still in the fire, still facing the same raging battles. The devil still buffeted him. But David found something so much better than an escape to some empty wilderness. He found his hiding place in the secret closet of prayer.

David determined to call on the Lord all day long — and God answered him. David testifies, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee” (verse 22). Through daily, continual calling on the Lord with faith, a glorious peace came upon David. He declared, “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me” (verse 18).

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In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON

DW:bbm 12.31.69