From the end of the earth I will call to you, when my heart is weak. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.
It’s rare to find a follower of Jesus who has not felt in some way attacked, threatened, hurt, or persecuted by the ways of this world. It’s likely you’ve faced some of this yourself. It can be so disheartening to find ourselves targeted by this fallen world’s attacks; often we may be tempted to falter in our faith, flee from our position, or abandon our God-given post.
I certainly imagine the authors of psalms like Psalm 61 must’ve felt that way, too! Like us, they were often preyed upon by the dark spiritual forces at work in that day, confronted by the flesh and blood agents of those shadowy principalities. Time and again, we read their heartfelt cries as opposition, even to the point of death, arises.
Yet what we find is not a message of surrender they’ve left to us, but one of hope and encouragement. Places like Psalm 61 offer a cry to God many a believer can echo even today. We too call out with weakened hearts. We too yearn for that higher place. We need refuge, a strong tower when our enemies surround us. And the same God who was rock and refuge for them is still that for us today.
There is never a circumstance in which we cannot or should not call out to God. There is no other shelter or stronghold we ought to run to than Him. Nothing else will guard us, refresh us, or restore us like His love and provision!
So, if you’re feeling the burden of living in a world turned against our God—and thus against those who follow Him—I encourage you to read the words of psalms like this one very closely. Internalize and pray them until they become your call rising up from the end of the earth. Always remember that the same God who delivered David and others like him from enemy hands will deliver you, too!
