Scripture Passage:  “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”     Psalms 61:2

 

Dear Friends,

 

     I love a good song.  I love the rhythm and melody, but mostly I love the words.  Words are powerful.  They have the ability to lift up the spirit and encourage the heart.  They also have the ability to make you cry.  Often times a song speaks to the heart in its time of need and elicits a cascading stream of emotions.   Other times it puts a smile on the face and a melodic tune in the head.  The Psalms I have used in our devotion today is a song David composed during one of the dark and tormented times of his life.  It is an example that the best songs are written from hearts that have visited the valley of despair.

   

     David used a word that spoke to my heart and is a fitting description of who, and what, I am right now.  “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”  Overwhelmed is not a good place to be.  Simple task, daily activities, and trivial pursuits are really nothing in themselves, but mix in life and death decisions and uncontrollable circumstances and you have a recipe for disaster.  Some people call it fatigue.  Others call it burn out.  Psychiatrist and Psychologist use words like clinical depression while the military often diagnose post- traumatic stress disorder.  All of these conditions occur because the patient has been overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.  They hover over the heart like a lead blanket and refuse to go away.  Not only does this Psalm address the issue, it diagnoses the condition and prescribes the remedy to treat the problem.

 

     “From the end of the earth will I cry unto you.”  Crying is difficult for a man.  We often mask our feelings and subdue our emotions in an attempt to give the appearance of strength.  We want people to believe that we have got it all together and can handle ourselves.  We appear to be “rock solid” and “rock steady in the midst of a decaying society and spiritually decrepit landscape.  The truth is when these times come, we are neither rock solid, nor steady.  We know we need help from someone greater than we are.  When you hurt bad enough you will eventually cry out in pain.  We cry out in our despair to the only one who can truly help us.  “God I need you, please help me.”  “You are my last defense and I realize I have nowhere else to go.”   The Father’s answer is to lead us to the Rock that is greater that we are.

 

     Growing up near the river and the woods, we were blessed with sandstone and limestone rocks.  Certain rock formations in the river have provided moorings for weary swimmers as they traverse across the river to the island.  There is also a landmark the locals call the “Devil’s Nose.”  It is a high mountain that stands above everything else around it.  It provides direction to hikers and hunters by its rocky promontory point that can be seen for miles around.  The way to protection and safety is the Rock.  For the weary Christian it is “The Rock that is higher than I.” Jesus is that Rock.  In His presence there is safety and rest.  His foundation is rock solid and steady.  We can cry out to Him from the ends of the earth and find rest from the burdens that overwhelm us.  Will you sing with me?

 

 

“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand.”

“All other ground is sinking sand.”

“All other ground is sinking sand.”

 

In Christ,

Pastor Johnny