Focus Scripture: Psalm 61
The setting to this Psalm written by king David is believed to be during the rebellion of his son, Absalom (2 Sam 15:13-37). David is compelled to flee Jerusalem with most of his household to escape the coup being orchestrated by son. During this journey, David became overwhelmed by grief over son’s actions and the circumstances of their flight out of Jerusalem. The primary theme of this Psalm is David’s prayer to God for deliverance and refuge, thus his opening pleas, “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 my enemy.”
Often we can feel as David….overwhelmed by the state of affairs of our life (cf.Jn 16:33). The Christian is not immune to sickness, financial hardships, death, lapses in faith, etc… In the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus taught of his Father, “…For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Mt 5:45).”
What are we to do with our anxieties and anguish over the trials we are enduring that often feels as it they will swallow us whole?
David’s response in this Psalm provides some answers. Here are a few short exhortations we can glean from this focus text:
- David appealed to God for help, “Hear my cry, O God;” While we use many things to cope (i.e. hobbies, vices, fellowship with others, etc…) with the difficulties presented in life, God is our ultimate true source of help. We are encouraged to carry all of our anxieties to Him prayer (Phi 4:6-7, 1 Pt 5:7).
- David acknowledged that God was his refuge, “lead me to the Rock that is higher than I,” He recognized that true enduring strength is found only in God. In other words, the foundation (rock) of his faith was not built on himself or things of man, but his Creator. Likewise, a life built (that trusts) in Christ can withstand trials because our foundation is based on the power and character of God, which is his Word (Mt 7:24-27, cf.Eph 2:18-21). We grow to realize as David did, self-sufficiency cannot deliver us.
- David appealed to the compassion of God, “Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings.” He understood that God does not preserve us because we are deserving, but rather because he is good and merciful (Rom 9:14-18). Remember, God owes us nothing, but death due to sin (Rom 6:23). Our good works earns us no salvific equity in the presence of God. Instead we are offered mercy and grace through Christ Jesus (Eph 2:8-9). Like an umbrella that shields us during a rain storm, so does God preserve us IN trial, not outside of it.
Lastly, David appealed to the promises of God, “…you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.” Our faith in God safeguards us in storms of life. Partly because faith is “forward looking.” Like Paul, we see the trials that God allows us to go through as “light afflictions” in comparison to the greater glory we will receive in Christ Jesus upon his return, which is our reward for those who trust in him (Rom 8:18).
The encouragement is this: David’s hope was in God. Likewise, our hope is in him in all things. Only Christ can bring us though and deliver us.
May you be blessed always and only in his wonderful Son’s hands.
(Other suggested scripture readings for further study and reflection: Psalm 89:1-37, Hebrews 11)
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D