Psalm 60-61

“From the end of the earth I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2, NKJV)

We don’t know the occasion when David wrote Psalm 61. Some think it was when his son Absalom rebelled against him and sought to become king so that David had to flee Jerusalem. That is possible, but it is just speculation. Obviously, something motivated David to cry out to the LORD from the end of the earth. Perhaps David himself was at the end of his own capabilities. One thing we know for sure: his heart was overwhelmed. He had nowhere else to turn except to the Rock that was higher than him.

As I write this, we are preparing to board a plane to come home after a two-week mission trip in Romania. We have sought to be “the fragrance of Christ” wherever we have gone and have been amazed and humbled at how God has used us to bless others.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:14–15, NKJV)

There have also been challenges—especially regarding the number of people who were sick on the trip. But as we have cried out to the Rock that is higher than us, He has enabled us to cope and do even more than we had planned. Our team unity has been extraordinary. I credit all this to the prayers that have gone up for us before and during our trip. The enemy will always have his vote, but God gives us the victory through our faith.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4–5, NKJV)

David had discovered the LORD to be a strong tower from the enemy (v. 3). And he trusted in the shelter of His wings (v. 4). The LORD had given David the heritage of those who fear His name. Therefore, he would sing praises to His name forever and daily perform his vows.

This is always the order. When we are overwhelmed with life’s circumstances we cry out to God. We find shelter and strength in Him. Then we give Him praise and fulfill our vows to love Him with all our hearts and to love others as He loves us.

Is your heart overwhelmed today? Then seek shelter, strength and stability in the Rock who is higher than you. He is faithful, and He will help you fulfill His plan for you.