ESCAPE

An online news report caught my eye: “Increase in suicide rates in Singapore: male suicides double that of female.” The report explained, “According to some psychiatrists, the higher number of suicides among men is not unusual . . . When it comes to dealing with their problems, men don’t often look for help, so they end up pushing themselves into a deeper depressive spiral.”

David was under terrible strain and pressure as he suffered the attacks of his enemies (PSALM 55:3-5,9-11). But his enemy wasn’t some distant nation or army. It was someone who had been his good friend, who he described as “a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God” (VV.13-14). Having his friend turn against him was a pain that felt too hard to cope with.

David’s gut reaction was to escape. He wanted to run away! He wanted to “flee far away” to a “place of shelter” (VV.7-8). I can’t help wondering if suicide was one escape option David thought about in his depression.

Thankfully, David chose a different way, because suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. He looked for help from God, his real “place of shelter”, crying out, “Listen to my prayer, O God . . . My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught” (VV.1-2).

Are you feeling hopeless, distraught or depressed by life’s pressures and pain? Do you wish that you could just fly away (V.6)? Then it’s time to pray and to fly into the loving arms of God, who rescues you and keeps you safe (VV.16-18). Listen to David’s advice: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (V.22).

Thinking it over . . .

Read about David’s betrayal by his son Absalom and his close friend and advisor Ahithophel (2 SAMUEL 15:1-12; 16:15-23). How does this backstory help you understand the pressure and pain he faced? How does David’s prayer in Psalm 55 encourage you to find your strength, shelter and hope in God?