A Bird Escaped
Ps 124:7-8
Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord ,
Who made heaven and earth.
NKJV
Over recent years, my job has morphed into something overwhelmingly stressful. To be honest, there were times that my nerves were so frayed I wondered if I would escape the situation with my sanity. During my darkest days, when I was plagued with anxiety from sunup to sundown, I found my heart craving nature. Just to go to the beach and sit outside, would bring such remarkable peace. Watching the waves, the various sea creatures and the birds, would somehow put my job in perspective. Yes, at that moment to me it felt like the end of the world. But in the perspective of the whole universe and the vastness of God’s creation, it was really a small matter for a limited season in my life.
On the days of despair, when it felt that there was no hope in sight, I occasionally fantasized about running away. Escaping. Something. Anything!!! But of course, I had no desire to leave my family. There are seasons of the soul in which we are desperate to escape- as a bird would a snare or trap. When Jesus purchased our salvation, He snatched us out of the flames of hell- out of the trap of the enemy of our soul. Just as a bird escapes a trap, we escape the penalty of our sin. In Christ, we fly away. Free as a bird.
I am so grateful that my help is in the name of the Lord. He is above all things. He is all knowing, all powerful, and altogether loving. When I face other situations in my life, when I have a strong desire to flee from the burden, it is so encouraging to know that I can find refuge in Him. There have been days and situations that I needed that escape- but could find none. In those circumstances I have asked God to hide me from my enemy. He is so faithful to be our deliverer and our hiding place.
But not only that… when He calls us to walk through the trial, to stand through the fire, He is right there alongside us. He is our constant companion – perched right beside us on our branch! He will not leave us or abandon us in the thing that we fear. His faithfulness will not allow it!
God created all things. In Him all things hold together. He is our Creator-God, and therefore, is intimately acquainted with what we can withstand at any moment in time. When we have reached our limited, He will cry out, “Enough!” And that will be the end of it. We have that blessed hope! A blessed hope, a blessed companion – He is the “total package”. I will never lack as long as I look to Him as my source. And neither, dear friend, will you.
Dear Lord, I lift up your hurting children today. Those who are walking in the darkness. Those who are desperate to escape their circumstances, I lift before you now. Cover them with the feathers of your wings. May they find safety and rest in Your Holy Name. Thank you, Jesus, for your Name, which is our defense and our refuge. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Amen to that, Sherri. There are times when I get stressed out, but when I breathe a prayer to God to give me strength, I start to relax. Yes, He is our refuge and our strength.
Sheri, this is so true, so many times we would like to be like a bird and just fly away, but I find that when I just stop and sing a song of praise or just in my mind picture Jesus on the cross, or even better picture Him arising and comeing out of the tomb, and knowing he is coming for His children SOON, it just makes me say, GOD IS SOOOO GOOD. Blessings Gloria