Psalms 61:2-3 - From 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.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
Periods of sorrow and hopelessness are timeless. Throughout
history even the best of men have experienced these emotions. David, a man
after God’s own heart and the author of numerous Psalms was not exempt. Even
the Apostle Paul at one point despaired of his own life as persecution waxed
hot. It is not ‘if’ such trouble will present itself in our lives, but ‘when’
it will appear.
The good news is that scripture provides guidance on how to
navigate the inevitable pitfalls of life. David offers three nuggets of wisdom:
1.
Cry unto Him.
2.
He is our rock.
3.
He is our shelter and high tower.
In a nutshell, when trouble comes we should run to the Lord
instead of away. Human nature wants to avoid anything remotely connected to God
(His people, word, and church). The world says that we can stand on our own two
feet. The flesh strives to solve heart problems with alcohol, drugs, fleshly
lusts, etc. All of these simply mask the true issue and serve to drive us
deeper into despair. The current statistics that indicate approximately 10 percent
of adults and a shocking 20 percent of teens suffer some type of prolonged
depressive symptoms supports the fact that what we are generally doing is not
working. I understand that mental illness is a multifaceted, complex issue, but
a neglect of spiritual matters cannot be ignored.
The remedy is to recognize the rock that towers above all
else, Jesus Christ. Cast your cares upon Him. Look to the one that is an anchor
of the soul, both sure and steadfast! The one who delivered the elect family of
God eternally when he laid down his life on the cross is more than equipped to
bless us to navigate us through periods of sorrow and helplessness in the
day-to-day affairs of life.
Oh! sometimes the shadows
are deep,
And rough seems the path to the goal,
And sorrows, sometimes how they
sweep
Like tempests down over the soul.
---
Oh! sometimes how long seems
the day,
And sometimes how weary my feet!
But toiling in life’s dusty way,
The
Rock’s blessed shadow, how sweet!
---
Then near to the Rock let me
keep
If blessings or sorrows prevail,
Or climbing the mountain way steep,
Or
walking the shadowy vale.
---
O then to the Rock let me
fly
To the Rock that is higher than I
O then to the Rock let me fly
To the Rock
that is higher than I!
Blessings,
Michael D. Green, Jr.
