WINGS OF A DOVE – LESSON IN A DESERT
“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.” (Psalm 55: 6-8)
Who has never been overwhelmed by the tyranny of circumstances that seem to press down from all directions and squeeze the very life out of us? If you are faintlysmiling and nodding your head, be encouraged, you are in goo d company! The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians: “We were under great pressure— so far beyond our strength that we despaired even of living.” (2 Cor. 1:8) The great prophet Elijah was running for his life after receiving death threats from Jezebel. Hefound a tree to sit under in the d esert and prayed for death after having just won a mighty battle against the pagan prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. From these heights he now finds himself plummeted to the very depths of discouragement, despondency and depression. Then, we read of Jonah who sat under a tree and prayed for death when his prophetic message of doom and gloom produced unexpected results. And, of course, we have the instance in this Psalm of David where he laments the cruellest of all afflictions: the betrayal of a close and trusted friend.
Although it is natural to want to throw in the towel and capitulate after reaching the limits of one’s endurance, it can also become a defining moment for us. In each of the above examples, God used peoples’ extremity to provide transformation and renewal. If they had known all the details in advance they would have run as far as possible in the opposite direction! In fact with Jonah that is exactly what he tried to do. Yet, in each case, God ultimately worked things out for good.
There is something I sometimes reflect upon. Why would David specifically use the illustration of a dove in his lament? In another Psalm, he uses similar language todemonstrate something very profound and 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].” (Psalm 68:13 )
David would have frequently observed doves who lodged among certain types of 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. David witnessed occasions when the doves flew away from these pots,soiled and dirty from the ashes. As they mounted with t e sun reflecting upon their wings, David captured the breathtaking beauty of its rays streaming upon them asthey soared into the heights covered as though with shimmering silver and feathers of yellow gold!
Are we a people who lodge among the ‘pots’? Yet when the grace of God takes hold of our lives, all that is unlovely that surrounds us becomes transformed into a thing of beauty. He makes all things new even when situations appear to be at their worst, and we become trophies taken from the enemy instead of the sorry victims we thought we were!
Let the sun shine through the wings of your life today and transform the dust into something beautiful for Him!
Raphael ben Levi
http://www.rogerlenk.co.za
