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Overwhelmed? Hope from Psalm 55


INTRODUCTION: There have been a few days recently where I have felt anxious - even overwhelmed - in a particular area of my life. In the midst of those feelings, I am trying to learn to fight my unbelief and grow in trusting the Lord in what I do not fully understand about my current situation.


As I was searching for the Lord's provision of help, He brought me to this online post by Pastor Bill Elliff. The Psalmist's words, along with Bill's words, were part of the Lord's provision for me. Maybe, today, these words they can be a help to you OR to someone you care about. Thank You, Lord, for hearing our cries for help and responding!



Do you feel restless, distracted, or anxious? Are you afraid and trembling at what is around you or facing you? No good solutions? Perhaps you cannot exactly determine the source of your feelings, but you are overcome with a general hopelessness. Do you wish you could sprout wings and fly away?


David did. In fact, these are the exact words of His prayer in Psalm 55. He wanted a supernatural escape. Sometimes, our despair can run so deep that it seems there are no better options. But there is always one.


LOOKING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

David did not deny his anxiety, but he took the one step that could bring help. He cried out.


As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, for there are many who strive with me. God will hear and answer them—even the One who sits enthroned from of old. (Psalm 55:19)


GOD’S SUSTAINING ARMS

The wise Psalmist gives us instructions to carry us for the rest of our lives. Memorize this verse and hide it in your heart. Keep it there as a constant reminder of the power and presence of your sustaining God. It is one of God's direct, real promises to those who look to Him.


Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)


To “cast” means to throw down. It is a more violent phrase than “lay down.” It implies releasing the weight of your burden entirely. But not merely to release it but to cast it on someone else.


FULL CONTAINMENT

The result of this release is stunning. “He will sustain you.” The main idea of the Hebrew word “sustain” is to “contain as in a vessel” or to “set in place.” The idea is that you are set in place in God. You are contained in God just as something is contained in a basket. You are in Him; He surrounds you and will carry and sustain you.


This promise does not say the burden is gone. It says that if you cast that burden on the Lord, He will pick you up—burden and all—and sustain you in the midst of the issue. You carry no more weight and anxiety because you are now engulfed, and underneath you are the everlasting arms.


If you doubt this, come to Him with a humble, broken heart and cast your burden on Him. Watch the God-Who-Never-Sleeps take you and your burden and place you in His everlasting embrace, like a child with a perfect father, a shepherd with his sheep.


Realize you are surrounded by Him. He is beneath you, beside you, above you. Where can you go from His care? What are stronger than His arms? More sufficient than His supply? What enemy is stronger or threat more powerful than He who sits eternally on the throne?


And realize this: He has invited you to come into His presence and cast your burden at His feet. It is His delight to have you there, resting in Him.




Response: Take time to read all of Psalm 55 (link here). I encourage you to write out your own personal pray to the Lord, crying out to Him for His help and having confidence that He hears you and He will respond. Use some of the words or phrases or the Psalm in your written prayer if possible.






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