Aug-20-0494-Lead me to the rock that is higher than I
494_Lead me to the rock that is higher than I Psalm 61 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; 2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, 3 for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. 4 Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah 5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! 7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 8 So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day. Years ago, a seasoned mountaineer shared a very touching story. He had been climbing a difficult peak in the Himalayas with a small group of fellow climbers. Halfway through the ascent, an unexpected storm rolled in. The icy wind howled, visibility dropped to near zero, and the once-firm snow beneath their feet became soft and treacherous. At one point, the climber realized he was on unstable ground, just steps away from a hidden crevasse. Panic set in as he tried to gauge his next move. Then, out of the fog, came the voice of his guide: “Climb up here! I’ve found solid rock!” He followed the voice blindly, scrambling upward toward a surface he couldn’t yet see. But when he reached it, he knew he was safe. That rock, higher than his position, saved his life. That image resonates deeply with the cry of David in Psalm 61. The psalm opens with a voice of desperation, but ends with the language of praise. It’s a journey, not just through David’s circumstances, but through his heart. David recognizes his own limitations and turns to the only One who can provide true safety, direction, and eternal hope. The earnest plea that begins it is: “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.” We don’t know the exact situation in which David penned these words. It could have been during his flight from Saul, or when his own son Absalom later rebelled against him. What we do know is that he was in a place of emotional, spiritual, and perhaps even physical exhaustion. His heart was faint—drained of strength, perhaps overwhelmed by sorrow or fear. And in that moment, he doesn’t pretend to be strong. He doesn’t rely on his own strategies, armies, or reputation. He does what we’re often too proud or distracted to do: he prays honestly and simply. His request is profound: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” David feels like he’s in a low place, a pit he can’t climb out of on his own. The rock he speaks of isn’t just a better position or a higher vantage point—it’s