Tag: Psalm 61

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily laden, overwhelmed by your own Expectations of yourself and I will surly relieve your burden. Matthew 11:28 – 30

Matthew 11:28-30 New American Standard Bible 1995

28 “Come to Me, all [a]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is [b]easy and My burden is light.”

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Confession time …

Oh man, am I the king of all kings of setting unrealistic expectations or what!

Almost every day, I wake up with a mental to-do list that far exceeds the time the day ahead offers.

I often feel I’m starting at a deficit, enormously stressing myself out before my mind is alert, aware, my feet haven’t had the chance to hit my hardwood floors. 

And then those special days, when things are supposed to be a little bit over-the-top, things are made even worse by my heightened sense of urgency.

Too many times, I’ve spent every available moment of my day in a “panicked ” state before realizing my lofty expectations did not match what the day held.

The sad part is that I missed out on what good the day offered because of grief over incomplete, unspoken, unrealistic, unfinished unnecessary expectations. 

It’s so easy to over rationalize, imagine and even believe that our lives should be much grander than simply goal directed achievable practical realistic ones.

I like to imagine a much tidier life than what is possible with recovering from Open Heart Surgery and I am constantly struggling between what I want to see our home look like and what is possible with more organization in living space. 

Ultimately, living with these overwhelming expectations is a part of our pride manifesting; we live with a clearly mistaken, premature belief that we are super people, able to do so much more than what we were designed to do, or that we should be served or of service in ways that we, others, may not be able to oblige.

Realistically, we must bring our plans to the Lord to find rest and contentment.

We are far too accustomed to laboring in vain on our own, but with Jesus, we can more closely trust him with the details, embrace his gracious gift of rest. 

Are You Tired Out?

Matthew 11:25-30 The Message

25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”

27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.

28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Jesus had been busy teaching, healing people, answering questions, and mentoring his followers.

Yet in spite of all his efforts, challenges remained.

There was not enough help to get the work done (see Matthew 9:37).

Even John the Baptist began to have doubts about him (see Matthew 11:3),

and in those places where Jesus had done most of his miracles, people refused to repent of their sins (Matthew 11:20).

It has been said,

“It’s not what life throws at you; it’s how you deal with it that makes all the difference.”

How did Jesus deal with discouragement?

In the moment, He drew close to God.

He praised God for his goodness and grace.

Jesus, whom the Bible says is “the exact representation of [God’s] being” (Hebrews 1:3), clearly knows the pressures and frustrations of our lives.

He constantly, continuously, invites us to come to him and learn from him, so that we too may have rest for our souls.

Life is not easy, but God is always good.

Let him lead, guide and direct your steps and give you the rest you need today.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Praying …

Psalm 61 The Message

61 1-2 God, listen to me shout,
    bend an ear to my prayer.
When I’m far from anywhere,
    down to my last gasp,
I call out, “Guide me
    up High Rock Mountain!”

3-5 You’ve always given me breathing room,
    a place to get away from it all,
A lifetime pass to your safe-house,
    an open invitation as your guest.
You’ve always taken me seriously, God,
    made me welcome among those who know and love you.

6-8 Let the days of the king add up
    to years and years of good rule.
Set his throne in the full light of God;
    post Steady Love and Good Faith as lookouts,
And I’ll be the poet who sings your glory—
    and live what I sing every day.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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I have already taken refuge straight to the arms of God. Why would I run away when you shout, run into hills, hide in caves, hike to the mountains? Psalm 11

Psalm 11 Complete Jewish Bible

11 (0) For the leader. By David:

(1) In Adonai I find refuge.
So how can you say to me,
“Flee like a bird to the mountains!
2 See how the wicked are drawing their bows
and setting their arrows on the string,
to shoot from the shadows at honest men.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

4 Adonai is in his holy temple.
Adonai, his throne is in heaven.
His eyes see and test humankind.
5 Adonai tests the righteous;
but he hates the wicked and the lover of violence.
6 He will rain hot coals down on the wicked,
fire, sulfur and scorching wind
will be what they get to drink.
7 For Adonai is righteous;
he loves righteousness;
the upright will see his face.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

We live in a day and age when the foundations of our biblical faith and the fabric of godly living are being systematically attacked by every quarter of society and dismantled in all areas of life. The unalterable truth of God’s Scriptures is now too easily discarded, modified by liberal ‘Christians’ and evolving atheists alike.

Governments in general, and our society at large, are systematically smashing down all the cornerstones, all the strongest foundations of truth and the time-honored institutions of God.

They are being replaced with rational relativism, a hatred of all that is good, a distortion of all that is true, a celebration of all that is evil, a contempt for our Heavenly Father, a rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ, a dismissing of the Holy Spirit, a disdain for salvation, and an insatiable desire to relegate the glorious gospel of grace into the furthest anonymity and annals of a forgotten history.

Often, good men despair as the floodgates of apostasy sweeps through the Church worldwide and the destruction of all godly foundations and biblical truths are being successfully dismantled and systematically destroyed by a God-hating, Christ-rejecting, Holy Spirit dismissive, lustful sinful world.

Often, the desperate, despairing, defeated cry of the righteous is: “If the strongest, truest foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

However, that is to take this verse out of context and to superimpose our own flawed, unscriptural, human viewpoint and fallen imagination over the eternal truth of God’s Word.

The message of this Psalm is confidence in God and an unshakable faith in the eternal plans and purposes that He Himself ordered in the council chambers of heaven before the world began, and the Word of God is settled in heaven.

We are not to: “Flee as a bird into the mountain,” but to place of refuge, trust in God. We are not to fly in to despair when the wicked flourish, secretly fire their satanically inspired arrows of destruction at the heart and minds of the upright.

We are not to tremble at what man can to do, for our hope is in the Lord Who made heaven and earth and Who has already determined that the wicked will receive their just portion at the hand of a just God, and a righteous Judge.

The Lord is in His holy temple and He tests each one of us in the furnace of affliction so that when we have been tried we will come forth as pure gold.

David reminds us that the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness, and He watches over the upright in heart.

And in His grace, He uses all things together for our eternal good and for His greater glory, even the disruptive terrible things happening in the world today.

We must never forget the Lord hates wicked and prideful men who celebrate evil through satanic violence and gross ungodliness, and the day is coming when they too will all stand before His Great White Throne of judgement and each will receive “the just fruits of their labors” according to their work.

The Lord alone knows how to deliver the righteous from trials, but He also, exclusively reserves the day of judgement for all the wicked to be punished.

No matter what circumstance we face in life, our hope is in God and our trust is in His unshakable Word of truth.

When our hearts start running straight to fear of what is coming on the world or we continually shout out in despair: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Let us bring back to mind the unchangeable Word of God and the many faithful precious promises that are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ in Christ.

Let us stand fast on the eternal truth of the glorious gospel of grace in these increasingly evil days, and let us remember that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

In the name of God, the Father, and God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.

Pray,

Psalm 46 Authorized (King James) Version

Psalm 46

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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An Expression of my Inexpressible “All Thanks be to God for Answered Prayers; He is leading my heart to the Rock which is always higher than I!” Psalm 61

Psalm 61 English Standard Version

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

61 Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
2 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,
3 for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Psalm 61 expresses the desperate prayer of one who senses a great need for God.

David prays “from the ends of the earth” (61:2).

Although this could mean that he was far away from home, the sense of this phrase is more than literal. It speaks of neediness, when we are far away from what is comfortable, familiar, and safe. It may also point to times when we feel more than far away from God, it seems as if he is not near to hear our prayers.

In such times, our hearts can become overwhelmed. The Hebrew term ‘ataf, translated here as “overwhelmed,” can also mean “faint” or “weak.” There are times when our circumstances batter us, when our inner reserves are drying up.

We can feel as if life is just too much for us, and that we’re not going to survive.

In such times, like David, we cry out to God for mercy.

Even though God might feel far away, or we are stuck at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon and looking up at the sheer cliffs we have no skill set nor any equipment nor any inclination, to climb out, even though we are emotionally spent, we nevertheless call out to God to lead us to a place of safety and security.

The “towering rock of safety” is a place where the floods cannot engulf us or our enemies can get to us and crush our spirits. The rock that is literally “higher than” we are, signifies unassailable heights of God’s protection and presence.

Perhaps you’re in a place like David today, feeling beyond far away from God, overwhelmed by the challenges before you, overwhelmed by the challenges that keep coming. If so, cry out to the God who will lead you to his rock of safety. If you’re not in such a place today—thanks be to God!—I’m sure you know people who are. Their hearts might even be too faint to pray, but you can do it for them.

We know the words, we preach, teach, model “TRUST GOD, do not be afraid. “

Yet the circumstances remain, more keeps coming, too many things feel out of control … there never seems to be enough time to “schedule our daily prayers!”

Your routines are not running smoothly.

You tend to feel more secure when your life is predictable.

Let GOD lead you to the rock that is higher than you and your circumstances.

Take refuge in the shelter of GOD’S wings, where you are absolutely secure.

When you are shaken out of your comfortable routines, grip The LORD’s hand tightly and look for growth opportunities.

Instead of bemoaning the loss of your comfort, courageously accept the challenge of something new.

The LORD leads you on from glory to glory, making you fit for HIS kingdom.

Say yes to the ways GOD works in your life. Trust GOD, and don’t be afraid.”

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” ISAIAH 12 : 2

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. PSALM 61 : 2 – 4

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 CORINTHIANS 3 : 18 (NKJV)

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: 

When have you felt like David, far from God and completely overwhelmed?

How did you pray?

Did you pray?

How did you experience God’s deliverance?

What, for you, is the “towering rock of safety”?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

PRAYER: O Lord, there are times when you feel so very far away, when it seems as if you aren’t even there to hear my prayers. And there are times when I am so haggard in soul that I can barely pray. Thank you my God and my King for the inspiring example of David, whose desperation reminds me that I am not alone.

Lord help when things feel unpredictable and uncomfortable, help me to look up to You, stand tall in the shadow of your Son’s cross, for growth opportunities and stepping forward, accept the challenge of something new. You are leading me, molding me to look more and more like Jesus. I trust you. In Jesus’ name.

Thank you also for his quiet confidence in you. Help me to know that you will lead me to the towering rock of safety when I am feeling lost and exhausted.

Psalm 121 English Standard Version

My Help Comes from the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

121 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayers. My heart is overwhelmed: God of my Salvation, I Pray! Lead me unto the Rock which is Higher than I!

One thing I love about reading, studying and praying and meditating through the book of Psalms is that each Psalm usually begins with a Psalmist’s heavy heart crying out, and ends in praise and rejoicing. Psalm 61 is no exception.

There are several reasons I love Psalm 61, and verse 2 is a bit part of that. Here are some of the reasons that Psalm 61:2 is such a huge encouragement for me:

  • No matter where we are on this earth, God hears us. There is no where we can go that God cannot reach (Psalm 139:7). This fact alone should provide comfort and encouragement to the heart and soul of the reader identifying with “alone”.
  • We all feel overwhelmed at some point or another. David says, “when my heart is overwhelmed”. Not if, when. It is completely normal for our hearts to feel overwhelmed on occasion. The key is that we each need to take it unto the Lord.
  • God is our rock. What an encouraging and reassuring fact, to know that we have a rock which cannot be moved (Psalm 62:6).

As much or as little you are in need of some major league encouragement today, just remember, God absolutely hears you when you cry, and when you are just overwhelmed; all you need to do is talk to Him. He will lead you and protect you!

“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.” Psalm 61:2

Psalm 61 AKJV

Psalm 61

To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.

1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2 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.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me,
and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle forever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows:
thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life:
and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever:
O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever,
that I may daily perform my vows.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Hear my cry, O God

Attend unto my prayer

From the ends of the earth

My cry comes unto Thee

And when my heart is overwhelmed

Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I

That is higher than I

For Thou has been

A shelter unto me

A strong tower

From the enemy

And when my heart is overwhelmed

Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I

That is higher than I 

These are the words to a much beloved camp song, and they are also the words to Psalm 61. Hundreds, probably thousands, if not millions of campers have come and gone to summer camp or sat in the woods of a forest by some river or flowing stream and sat around the campfire, trying to quiet their souls from the harsh circumstances of life singing these words, reflecting upon their meaning.

For years upon years, more than they can remember, they have been gathering together both believers and non-believers, just to break away from mainstream civilization to give unto their taxed and tired hearts, bodies, minds, souls some much needed rest., to detoxify themselves from the hustles and bustles of life. And why not? we all need to take that time away to simply “chill out” from life. We can only take so much upon ourselves that we feel like we will just “burst.” For mental health and physical and safety reasons, we need to have that time.

When Life seems to go on forever and ever and ever …. without any end ….

David is recognized as the author of this psalm, and David frequently found himself in many situations where the entire world was against him. After being plucked from his father’s flocks and assigned to be a bodyguard and musician for King Saul, David was constantly sent out into battle and eventually hunted down by the king himself. Saul knew the favor of God had departed from him and had been given to David, and his own failures haunted him to the point of jealously and madness. Even after Saul spared his life and he ascended to the throne, David was assailed by warring nations and his very own sinful desires.

No matter the cause or reasons, we can all relate to David at times. It may seem like everything comes against you: a medical diagnosis, a lost job or loved one, another failure, a fall to temptation, or some other calamity. And it seems like they all just happen at once – when you assess your life and think you can stay steady under this new tension, another weight is dropped on your shoulders.

Psalm 61 was written by David at one of the many times when he was far from home and safety. It begins with his desperate cry to God. He is despairing, lost, and struggling. “My heart is crying, and it is overwhelmed!” he tells the Lord.

If we are rigorously and vigorously honest, with ourselves, and with others, many of us can truly relate to the feelings of David. We know what it is like to sit in darkness and wonder if light will ever come. In his sorrow, David calls out to God in prayer. He knows the only way he can rest and find safety in the Rock of Salvation is if God reaches down and, intercedes and places him atop the rock which is higher than he and everybody else is where only God can reach him.

Are Your Heart and Soul being Overwhelmed?

The depth of sadness described in this psalm is not an everyday sadness. The level of exhaustion and resignation is not the normal tiredness we feel at the end of the day. It is a profound, soul-rending sense of loss and fear. It is important not to make light of the deep struggles’ others may go through by comparing your heart felt soul felt pain, however legitimate, with theirs.

That being said, we will be worn down by the world. Jesus Himself promised us that even our loved ones could turn on us, and practically guaranteed that we would have trouble in this life. Our world is fallen and tainted by sin, and no amount of manmade goodness can cover the stain of evil that has scarred mankind. The weight of our sin weighs heavily upon our souls and shoulders.

Many things can contribute to an overwhelming sense of dread at the prospect of facing even one more day. A sudden and dangerous medical diagnosis, deep personal loss through financial hardships and or death can certainly be a valid reason to grieve and to mourn. On days when it seems that the whole world is against you, that sense of loneliness can be pretty overwhelming. Even in the face of the everyday evils that swarms over the earth devouring the innocent and preying on the weak can overwhelm a soul sensitive to the heart of God.

What Ought We to be Doing in such times as these?

First of all, know and accept that your grief is not being misplaced. When you reach the lowest point, know that your mourning has value, is not worthless. God surely and certainly wants to hear the deepest cries of your heart at all times, if your heart is only capable of producing tears, God accepts that honesty.

Next, we must always remember that God not only wants to hear our cries, but He also wants to heal our wounds. He wants to carve out the broken places in our lives, soothe them with His healing presence, and replace them with more of Himself. Only by inviting God into your hurt can you experience a peace that passes all understanding, regardless of what all else is happening around you.

It is healthy to grieve, but it is not healthy to wallow endlessly, assuming there is no hope. In all things, Jesus is the author of and ultimate place hope for the world. His grace is sufficient for every shortcoming, and His strength is made perfect in every weakness. While we should express our sorrow in healthy ways, we should also be willing to give our hurt to God and trust 1000% He will work something good from it. We will never fully understand the mind of God in this life, but faith can sustain us through the dark times when our walls come down.

In God, David has always found safe refuge and secure shelter. He has found rest, comfort, and retreat in places only God knows. So why would he not, in his darkest moments, cry out to the God who is his “rock,” his hiding place, and his fortress? And as he cries out, David finds 100% comfort in God’s grace and care.

Sometimes, when our hearts are overwhelmed, all we need do is cry out to God and ask that in our desperation and fear, God would place us on stable ground. God would comfort us and lead us to safety. God would shelter us and deliver us. Right in this exact and exacting moment or season, what is overwhelming you?

In this season of pandemic hot and cold, and summer and winter and job loss and only Lord knows the weight what of all those other activities, what weighs heavy, heavier and heaviest on your heart? Hopefully, the words of this Psalm will bring you comfort and a small amount of peace as you remember that when your heart is overwhelmed, YOU PRAY! you always find rest in God, your rock.

The next time your heart seems overwhelmed, try turning to God in worship.

You may not feel fully invested in that exact moment, but the Word of God never returns to God void. God will absolutely use even the smallest amount of faith to work miraculous things in our hearts. Psalms like this one are called psalms of lament, and they are in the Bible for a reason: they can be a model and an outlet for our worship when words simply will not come. Try reading through this entire psalm or another familiar passage and use those words to pour out your overwhelmed heart unto the God Who is never overwhelmed.

God the Father can NEVER be OVERWHELMED!

God the Son, Jesus can NEVER be OVERWHELMED!

God The Holy Spirit can NEVER be OVERWHELMED!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us pray, (PSALM 61 The Message)

61 1-2 God, listen to me shout,
    bend an ear to my prayer.
When I’m far from anywhere,
    down to my last gasp,
I call out, “Guide me
    up High Rock Mountain!”

3-5 You’ve always given me breathing room,
    a place to get away from it all,
A lifetime pass to your safe-house,
    an open invitation as your guest.
You’ve always taken me seriously, God,
    made me welcome among those who know and love you.

6-8 Let the days of the king add up
    to years and years of good rule.
Set his throne in the full light of God;
    post Steady Love and Good Faith as lookouts,
And I’ll be the poet who sings your glory—
    and live what I sing every day.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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