Higher Rock.

I love spending time in the Psalms.

Yesterday, I was reflecting on Psalm 61 and as I read through David’s words, my eyes (and mind) wouldn’t leave a simple ten word sentence…

“Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” -Ps 61:2

We’re not certain what’s happening in David’s life at the point he writes Psalm 61 but we do know he’s struggling. David pleads to the Lord, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint.”

And then? There’s the big ask. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”

I love a different perspective. Ever been there? [pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. [/pullquote]When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. For David, he found himself overwhelmed by his circumstances. Whatever was facing him, it was big and it was ugly. Yet, this is huge. Don’t miss it. Ready? It didn’t define him. David knew that, to rise above, he had to face it from a different perspective. So? The prayer changed from a faint heart to higher ground. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

From this viewpoint, note that David’s perspective changed. Look –> “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” I love this. From a higher viewpoint, we see a greater story.

Last September, I took a trip with my bride to Colorado to attend a pastor’s retreat and, on one of the last days of the retreat, we decided to climb a mountain. Like, a literal mountain. Seemed to make perfect sense at the time, however, as we took the six hour climb to the top of Flattop mountain we second guessed that “seemed like a good idea” decision the whole way up. We live at sea level in The Woodlands. What were we thinking? CRAZY how exhausting that climb was. Yet, you know what kept us going? We’d stop, turn around and look at the view. We’d see where we had traveled, how far we had gone, and this gave us the determination to turn around and keep on climbing.

Perspective. It’ a beautiful gift.

So to you, my friend, please know that whatever is facing you this moment, make David’s prayer YOUR prayer. Say it! “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Once there, take in the view. Of this I am certain. The Lord has been with you this far and He’s not leaving you now!