“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”

Psalm 61:2

Over the past few days, those beautiful words from Psalm 61:2 have kept popping into my mind. As I have read through the Psalm, mulling over verse 2, my heart has been encouraged and strengthened. ‬I hope yours will be too! 

The life circumstances that prompted this Psalm are not clear; but then David was often in trouble and in those times, he cried out to God for rescue, comfort and strength. 

At My Wits End!

“From the ends of the earth I will cry to you.” 

I don’t think David is actually at the ‘ends of the earth.’ I believe he is speaking figuratively here. A sort of, “I’m at the end of my tether!” “At my wits end.” David was at the end of himself. 

Have you ever felt like that? I certainly have. David had come to the end of human understanding, strength and resources.

When My Heart is Faint

David said “‘When’ my heart is Faint”, not “if ever.” He knew that there would be times when his heart would be faint. (Some versions say ‘overwhelmed’)

Perhaps it’s better that we don’t know the specifics around why David felt faint-hearted. If we did, we might be tempted to put God into a box of our limited thinking, presuming that His rescue is only for those in the same situation. 

We are not all the same, are we? What causes me to feel faint, might make you simply shrug your shoulders and wonder what the problem is. And vice versa. God wanted this prayer of David’s to be recorded in His Word; to be prayed by His people for all time, [on this earth] whenever our hearts are overwhelmed.

Lead Me To The Rock That is Higher Than I

We need the Rock, a place of stability and security; strong enough to stand against the crashing waves of life’s storms.

We need a Rock that is higher than [us]. A place above our own wisdom, ability and strength.

Humanly speaking David had reached the very top. You don’t get any higher than king! But David had the humility to know that even he needed someone higher than himself.

Lastly, and perhaps the part that really struck a chord in me, were the two words “lead me.”

David acknowledged that he needed God to lead him to the rock; that he wasn’t able to get to the firm-footed place above his crisis by himself. 

And doesn’t God promise us exactly that? Have a look at the following beautiful scriptures and remind yourself of the wonderful ways our Shepherd leads us:

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm‬ ‭23:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭40:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm‬ ‭32:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.” (Isaiah‬ ‭42:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

These are but a few of the many places in the Word of God where He clearly says He will and does, lead us. However, leading requires a vital ingredient- following. I don’t see a single scripture saying that God will drag us, push us, or coerce us in any way. He simply goes ahead of us and we choose to follow! Or not. 

If you are feeling faint or overwhelmed today, as many of us are in these uncertain times, why not simply choose again to follow your Shepherd. 

These things I can promise you, with all the authority of the Word of God: He will always restore your soul, always lead you in paths of righteousness, forever guide you into all truth and turn your darkness into light. Will you follow Him? 

Jill 💜