Lead Me to the Rock

Sometimes we feel we can't take anymore.

Sometimes it feels like we have reached our limit, physically and emotionally. Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness. and emotional and physical fatigue cover us like a blanket or cloak, accompanied by darkness.

Now, the super spiritual will say you shouldn't admit such things but I aim to show from scripture that it is OK to feel that way and be honest with ourselves and God but that we can't stay in that place.

That there is a way of escape, there is hope, we can know victory and deliverance but the starting point is weakness, helplessness and a total and absolute dependance on the Lord to strengthen, enable and make a way for us.

The title of this message is taken from Psalm 61.

The great warrior David, the victorious and mighty King of Israel, is in the very situation that I have detailed.

He is overwhelmed, at the end of his tether and needs God to intervene on his behalf and do what he can't do himself.

David's Cry

As we see so often in the Psalms, David is crying out to God from a place of weakness and utter desperation.

David was a man after God's own heart. God had chosen him to shepherd and reign over His people instead of Saul. Acts 13v22

David's secret was that he had a humble, broken and contrite heart. He knew his absolute weakness, he knew his limitations and he knew that without God on his side he could do or achieve nothing.

He was humble enough to cry out to God when he needed too, irrespective of his lofty position or what those around him might think.

David Chosen

God had found and chosen David (Psalm 89v20) for a specific purpose.

He was anointed and appointed by God.

God had prepared and moulded his character and heart as he cared for the sheep on the hills overlooking Bethlehem.

Psalm 78v70-72 tells us this:

70He also chose David His servant,And took him from the sheepfolds;

71From following the ewes that had young He brought him,To shepherd Jacob His people,And Israel His inheritance.

72So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

David was chosen and ordained of God and God formed within him a shepherd's heart, in order to lead, guide and shepherd the people of Israel.

He did so with love, humility and care, birthed out of brokenness, helplessness and a deep sense of his deep need of God.

God does the choosing. He anoints whom He wills. He decides who does what in His Kingdom and in the Church. Different ministrations, different offices but the same Spirit. Instead of resenting or wanting the gifting and anointing God has granted to others we should pray for each other, esteem one another and operate in the specific gifting or ministry that God has ordained for each of us. Then the Body will operate in harmony and unity instead of being divided through strife and envying. 1 Corinthians 3.

Of course, David was a type of the Chief Shepherd and Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ who laid down His life for the sheep. John 10

Oh, how we need leaders who have been chosen and ordained of God who will serve the Body of Christ with humility and a shepherd's heart in our day. Men and women who carry the heart and compassion of the Good Shepherd. Unfortunately in many cases we have hirelings who don't care for the sheep and run when the wolf attacks.

More than Conquerors

I was just thinking earlier about something Jesus said

Behold I send you out as sheep among wolves. Matthew 10v16.

What hope have sheep among wolves. They can't defend themselves, they can't attack the wolves and they can't run away. Not much chance you would say!

Aye but that's where the Shepherd comes in! When you factor the Chief Shepherd into the equation then the tables are turned. Praise God, Hallelujah!

Instead of the wolves attacking and devouring the sheep the wolves are driven away by the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. 1 Peter 2v25.

That's why the Word boldly declares that we are more than conquerors.

How can you be more than a conqueror?

Praise God when the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Saviour and Lover of our souls, fights for us and gives us the victory, then we are more than conquerors.

We are not conquered or overcome. No we are more than overcomers and conquerors through the One who has all power in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28v18

Romans 8v36&37

36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37¶Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

We are not just sheep without hope and destined to be slaughtered.

No we are more than conquerors!

David's Comfort

In the situation David found himself in, he did the only thing he knew to do and what he had done many times before, he cried:

Psalm 61v2&3

2From 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.

3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Lord when I have reached the end of my strength and ability to deal with what I'm facing then lead and guide me to the Rock that is higher and greater than I. Lead me to that place of refuge and strength where I will be safe and I will be victorious. Enable me and cause me to run into you. Lead and guide me because I'm so weak and I need your enabling grace to even come to you in the midst of the storm.

Brothers and sisters that's all we can do. If we can recognise where and in whom our victory and safety lies and humble ourselves before Almighty God, then He will always answer such a heartfelt cry.

The Hebrew word for higher means to be high, exalted, rise or to be lifted up.

David was crying to God to lift him up above his enemies. To cause him to rise up and be exalted above the overwhelming circumstances he faced.

Psalm 27v5&6

5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

I would encourage you to read Psalm 27.

God is our glory and the lifter of our head. Psalm 3v3

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower that the righteous run into and are safe or set on high. Proverbs 18v10.

David knew by experience that on many occasions the Lord had been a shelter for him and a strong tower from the enemy.

In Christ we have everything we need for every situation in which we find ourselves.

He will supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4v19

David's Confession & Confidence

In v4 we read:

4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

David could confidently declare that he would dwell in God's tabernacle forever and trust under the safety of His mighty wings.

We see this imagery many times in scripture with God being likened to an eagle protecting the young under it's massive wings. See Psalm 17v8, Psalm 91v4

Deuteronomy 32v11&12 speaking of the nation of Israel and there special place in God's heart and plan it says:

11As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

12So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

In another Psalm, David declares his trust in God's mercy and how he makes his refuge in the shadow of God's wings until the calaamties he is facing pass. Psalm 57v1.

Time and time again David declares with confidence that God is his refuge and strength and an ever present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46v1.

And I have great news to share.

The Lord hasn't changed nor does He grow weary.

Jesus is our ever present, all powerful Shepherd and His ear is attentive to our cry and He can meet us at the point of our need and make a way where there seems to be no way.

In v6 David declares that God will prolong or add days to his life. Was David facing a sickness or threat that could have resulted in his life being cut short?

In v7 he confidently declares that as the result of the Lord's provision of mercy and truth his life will be preserved and he would abide before the Lord forever.

What a confession and what a destiny.

No matter what God will provide an abundance of mercy and truth which will preserve us in the midst of the battle or impossible situation we are facing.

As our Shepherd, he will furnish a table in the presence of our enemies and anoint our heads with oil, so much so, that our cup will overflow. Psalm 23

Psalm 36v7-9

7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Be encouraged.

Jesus knows our downsitting and uprising. He knows our thoughts afar off. Psalm 138.

He is not oblivious to or disinterested in what we are facing. He knows our pain, hurt, disappointment and circumstances.

However, He also knows what we need and whenever we need it.

Matthew 10v29-31

29“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

30“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31“Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12v32

Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.