When my heart is overwhelmed...

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 

Psalm 61:1-2

Psalm 61

A Psalm of David, it is thought that Psalm 61 was composed after David had come to the throne, possibly during Absalom's rebellion, when David fled from Jerusalem.

David's cry rises up to heaven, his prayer, before God's throne.

In Hebrew, the word used here for 'cry' is very intense, it means, 'Hear my loud wailing, O Lord.' - Smith's

David pleads with the Lord to listen to his prayer, to answer his lament.

At a time when his soul is overwhelmed, and when his heart grows faint, David longs for the strength, security and shelter of the Almighty.

But he cannot reach this himself, he needs God to uplift him, he needs God to lead him to that place of comfort and safety.

David feels he is at the end of the earth, both actually and figuratively; possibly far away from Jerusalem, which was at the time the dwelling place of God, and in a state of deep sorrow and despair.

But in that place, David remembers that God has been a shelter and a strong tower for him.

It is God's presence and protection that he desires once again and is confident he will enjoy forever.

David draws strength from his past experience and expresses his confidence in a God who is unchangeable and worthy of trust.

David knows he can dwell in God's presence wherever he is, and he continues to trust in God's protection.

Sweet is beyond expression to remember the lovingkidnesses of the Lord in our former days, for he is unchangeable, and therefore will continue to guard us from all evil. - C. H. Spurgeon

David starts his psalm with lament but ends it with words of confidence.

His vows had been heard by God, his commitment was blessed by God.

God had answered his prayers before, and he was protected from his enemy.

Once he was a fugitive, but God raised him to be the king of Israel.

David recognises that his years are in God's hand.

It is only God who can prolong his life and kingdom.

Therefore, he trusts in God's mercy, truth, love and faithfulness to preserve him.

Many of life's trials can overwhelm our hearts.

Loneliness or illness, lack or loss, disappointment or betrayal.

Grief, despair and hopelessness can easily set in and the Rock of safety may seem so high and out of reach.

Fear arises when we imagine everything depends on us. - Elisabeth Elliot

David was heartbroken by Absalom's betrayal.

His own flesh and blood had turned against him.

Absalom stole the hearts of the people and declared himself king at Hebron.

Overwhelmed by fear, grief and despair, David fled from Jerusalem with his armies and with those that followed after him.

But Absalom, pursued David in order to kill him, for such full of hate his heart was toward his father.

Whether Psalm 61 was written at this time in David's life, or at a different time, it was certainly written at a time of despair, and under difficult circumstances.

But in the midst of a desperate situation, looking back at God's faithfulness and trusting in God's character, David's spirit is revived and strengthened.

His loud wailing is turned to praise, and his commitment to God is renewed.

'When my heart is overwhelmed:' - when the huge waves of trouble wash over me, and I am completely submerged, not only as to my head, but also my heart. It is hard to pray when the very heart is drowning, yet gracious men plead best at such times. Tribulation brings us to God, and brings God to us. Faith's greatest triumphs are achieved in her heaviest trials. It is all over with me, affliction is all over me; it encompasses me as a cloud, it swallows me up like a sea, it shuts me in with thick darkness, yet God is near, near enough to hear my voice, and I will call him. - C. H. Spurgeon

Is your heart faint and overwhelmed by life's trials and afflictions?

Do you long for a place of comfort and safety but this seems so high and out of reach?

You do not have to face life's trials on your own.

You can be sheltered and protected by the God who is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever.

An ever-present help in trouble, a fortress, a stronghold and a Saviour.

God can lead you to the Rock that is higher than you.

For all who believe in him, God dwells not just with us, but in us by his Holy Spirit.

The dwelling place of God is now with his people and forever will be. Ephesians 2:22, Revelation 21:3-4

There is a place of refuge, there is a place of strength and security that we can have in Jesus, the Rock that is higher than us. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4,

When our hearts are overwhelmed, Jesus will comfort us.

When we are at the end of our strength, Jesus will carry us.

From the midst of danger, Jesus will deliver us.

And at the end of our lives, Jesus will save us.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength is gone, ere the day is half through, when we have reached the end of our hoarded resources, our Father's full giving has only begun. His grace has no limits, His love has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto man, For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again. - He Giveth More Grace

This was not the last of David's songs.

When the Lord delivered him from all his enemies, David wrote another song which is recorded in 2 Samuel 22.

This is a song of victory, a song of praise.

For the Lord was, and is, and will forever be faithful.

A stronghold, a refuge, a Rock for all those who fear him.

'The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield and the horn of my salvation.

He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Saviour.' 2 Samuel 22:1-3a