THERE IS A ROCK
Opening Prayer
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land…” (Psa. 63:1).
Read Psalm 61
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm 61[a]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.
1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[b]
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Increase the days of the king’s life,
his years for many generations.
7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.
Footnotes:
a Psalm 61:1 In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9.
b Psalm 61:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What challenges are you facing today, big or small?Christians suffer—and if you’ve been one for more than five minutes, you know that only too well! God never promises to remove us from the challenges of this life, but rather to be with us in them. Whatever the trial is, stop and ask yourself how you see God in it. What is your view of yourself? David knows his need, he knows he is weak. Yet David is also confident in God—that God will hear him, and that God’s strength is on offer to him (1,2). God is his rock and his refuge, his steadiness and his source of calm (2,3).
David longs for God. But do you notice from where this attitude comes? It comes from the ongoing relationship he has with God. Ask God to give you a desire for him like that of David (cf. Phil. 2:13). Jesus is God’s ultimate answer to David’s prayer in verse 7. Love and faithfulness surround him in the presence of his eternal Father forever. The wonderful promise of the Gospel is that because of Jesus, one day we will ever sing in praise of God’s name, share in his joy and fulfill all he asks of us (8; 1 John 3:2).
Apply
Whether your challenges today are big or small, God is a rock who is totally dependable. Place your weight on him now and find safety and refuge.
Closing prayer
“Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe” (2b,3).
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