Every once in a while we hear of someone caught in a very treacherous, even life and death situation, whether actually physically, or emotionally. Perhaps it might be a friend, or maybe even ourselves. When faced with such a situation, we need to get to a safe place, and sometimes in order to do that, we need someone stronger than ourselves to reach out their hand and take hold of us, to pull us to safety. Our psalm for this week speaks of being in just such a spot, likely both physically and emotionally, and shows us where to turn to.
Psalm 61 was written by David. This psalm, like many were, was intended to be sung.. It was supposed to be accompanied by a stringed instrument, likely either a lute (similar to a mandolin) or a lyre (a small, hand-held harp). David was an accomplished musician, and was for a while a personal musician for King Saul. Throughout David’s life, both before he became king and after, he faced many trials and tribulations. Countless times his very life was in danger. Even a strong and resourceful young man like David was, would find himself afraid at times. Where could he go when he needed help? Who could he trust? Sometimes we find ourselves asking the same questions. Sometimes we are faced with dangerous, treacherous situations and need help. Psalm 61 tells us where David turned, and where we, too, can find help in our times of need.
From his earliest years as a young shepherd boy caring for his family's sheep herds, to his final days as king, David knew where to turn to when faced with any type of problem. At various times in his life, David had faced many dangers. There were dangerous animals that attempted to attack the sheep under his care. He had to flee from those seeking his life, including King Saul and later his son Absalom. As a soldier and later king, he led troops against enemy armies. One thing David knew for sure was that God would hear him when he prayed (vs. 1-2). It didn’t matter where he was, whether hiding deep within a cave, or escaping on a path at the bottom of some ravine, even if at “the end of the earth”, he knew that his prayers would reach God. He knew that God was with him wherever he went.
When our problems seem overwhelming to us, when they seem like a flood swirling around us, threatening to pull us down under, we need to get to a place that is higher, away from the threats. That is what David prayed. He asked God to lead him to a rock that is higher than he currently was. The answer to that prayer is to turn to the Lord Jesus. He is the only safe Rock that is higher than I am (I Corinthians 10:4). Our own efforts to rescue ourselves, or any other human solutions to our problems will all fail us. Climbing onto the Rock that is Jesus Christ, will save us!
As David made this prayer, he could look back upon a lifetime of the Lord helping him and answering his prayers (vs. 3-4). He recalled God’s past faithfulness. He had been a shelter for him, Someone he could turn to who would protect him. In ancient times, when an enemy army was nearing the city, the residents would flee for shelter inside a strong, tall tower inside their walled city. We see mother birds hide and protect their young chicks under their wings, sometimes even at the risk of their own life. David compares the Lord as his shelter, his strong tower, and like a parent bird keeping him safe under His wings.
When caught in a serious bind, many people will make God all sorts of promises if only He will get them out of the trouble they face. Yet, how many of these people actually follow through and keep those promises? Very few. David, though, was going to keep the vows and promises he made to the Lord (vs. 5). In turn, because David had put his faith and trust in God, and feared His Name, he would have a wonderful heritage with Him. David ends his psalm with a vow to sing praises to God’s Name forever (vs. 8). Even in trials, we are called to glorify God.
As we close Psalm 61, we see that God does hear and answer the sincere cries of His children. God is a safe place and a strong fortress where our enemies cannot reach us. The more we believe this, the more we will find peace and rest in the Lord. If we struggle to believe this, we will spend most of our time trying to be a safe place for ourselves, and miserably fail. We can turn to Him when we are in trouble, and He will be our rock and shelter in every storm. Jesus is the Rock that is higher than ourselves.
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