“I said, “I wish I had wings like a dove! Then I could fly away and be at rest. Yes, I would flee to a place far off, I would stay in the desert. I would quickly find me a shelter from the raging wind and storm.” (Ps 55: 6-8)
Have you ever been overwhelmed by circumstances that squeeze the life out of you? If so, you are in good company! The apostle Paul wrote, “We were under great pressure—so far beyond our strength that we despaired even of living.” (2 Cor. 1:8) The great prophet Elijah fled for his life after receiving death threats from Jezebel. He found a tree to sit under in the desert and prayed for death after having just won a mighty battle against the pagan prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Here, he found himself plummeted to the very depths of despondency. Then, we read of Jonah who sat under a tree and prayed for death when his prophetic message produced unexpected results. And, of course, we have the instance in Ps 55 where David laments the cruellest of all afflictions: the betrayal of a close and trusted friend.
We find the illustration of a dove also in Ps.68:13 where David used similar language to illustrate something beautiful: “When you lie down [to rest] among the cooking stones You [Israel] are like the wings of a dove [of victory] overlaid with silver, Its feathers glistening with gold [trophies taken from the enemy].”
David frequently observed doves who lodged among the pots used for culinary purposes that were set among the cooking stones. Later, when the ashes of the fire had cooled, they would seek refuge among them for warmth. When the doves flew away from these pots, they were covered in these ashes. As they mounted with the sun reflecting on their wings, David observed the breathtaking beauty of their feathers shimmering like silver and gold as they soared into the skies!
Are we among those who lodge among the ‘pots’? Yet, when God takes hold of our lives, all the ashes that cover our lives become transformed into a thing of beauty. He makes all things new and we become His trophies instead of the sorry victims we thought we were! May God’s infinite love shine through our wings today and transform our ashes into the image of His radiance.
Raphael ben Levi
