“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” Psalms 55:6
“I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalms 23:6
May 15, 2023 - As usual, our backyard is filled with doves. When we moved to San Augustine years ago, we had only Mourning Doves, but now we also have Inca Doves, Collared Doves and for the past two years, White-wing Doves. All three have certain things in common. When we walk upon them, they all burst up swiftly on the take-off and and within seconds are across the big field behind the house. They fly up so quickly that they sometimes inadvertently drag their eggs from the nest as they fly upwards. When I see them disappear across the field, I more clearly understand David’s words, “If I had the wings of a dove, I would fly away.”
Even though David’s sins were forgiven, the Prophet Nathan tells him the sword would never depart from his house. David had many friends… and many enemies. King Saul repeatedly tried to kill him, his son Absalom who led an army against him was later found hanging dead in a tree. In his desperation, he didn’t pray for wings… but meant that if he had them, he’d do what frightened doves do… shoot up quickly and soar away swiftly from his troubles.
David was Israel’s greatest King and reigned for forty years. At seventy years of age, he called his son Solomon to his death bed and said, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God.” Then David soared… without wings… all the way to heaven’s rest.
“… And dwells in the house of the Lord forever.’”
