“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest” (Psalm 55:6).

In verses one through five of this psalm, David relates his bitter and fearful experience. He pleads with God to hear his prayer because of the enemy who is oppressing him.

It is at that point that David longs to escape, to be freed from the horrible circumstances that are overwhelming him. Thus his wish to fly away like a dove and be at rest. He thought the answer would be to “wander far off, and remain in the wilderness” (v.7). He further stated, “I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest” (v.8).

Another of God’s great sufferers, Job, expressed this same longing to escape the horrible realities of the present. “Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When His candle shined upon my head. . . . As I was in the days of my youth. . . .; When the Almighty was yet with me” (Job 29:2–5).

But can one really find peace and rest in flying away? No, that’s wishful thinking. Most important, to escape is to lose God’s intended future victory and blessing. Job would have lost the blessing of seeing God vindicate and doubly bless him. David would have missed out on being raised up as king.

The storms that came upon both Job and David produced great positive results in each of them. Job’s faith was greatly strengthened. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. . . . When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. . . . I know that my redeemer [vindicator] liveth” (Job 13:15; 23:10; 19:25).

David learned to roll his burden on the Lord rather than trying to fly away. Note the conclusion of Psalm 55: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (v.22). NPS