Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
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,
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
Psalm 61:1-3 (ESV)
Consider what it means to be led “to the rock that is higher than I.” Consider the incredible joy that can be drawn from this verse. Consider the implications of this powerful statement…
One, we are led to it, not left to find it.
The prayer is O God, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Not, “O God, I will try to find the way to the rock. Neither is it, “O God, help me as I find my way to the rock.” The fact is that we are led! And, as those who are led, we have no need to feel the pressure of navigating new paths. We have no need to feel the anxiety of charting untraveled roads. No, we are led by our guide, and we simply follow. We are led by our God through His Spirit to Himself, and in this way we have no boast or fear. Not only is there a Rock on whom to cling, but we are not even left on our own to find it; we are taken to it. We are not called to discover the Rock. Instead, we are called to simply follow our guide.
Two, a Higher Rock is Perspective.
The view from the top is breath-taking. I remember the first time as a kid that I ate at the tower of Americas in downtown San Antonio. As the top of the tower slower rotated, I saw the city. I was amazed at the view and how far I was able to see. What a perspective! Our car was tiny down below, and the huge city seemed far less daunting in size from up there.
We are invited into a higher perspective in life. There is a Rock that is higher than yourself. There is a vantage point that can give you a more complete picture. There is Rock, and on that Rock there is a view that can help bring your life into better perspective. There is such joy and peace that come from that truth! There is a rock that is higher than I. Just as the huge city seemed far less daunting in size from up in the tower, the problems of our lives seem far less daunting in size from our Rock!
Three, a Higher Rock is Protection.
I am not an expert in war, but even I know the great advantage of the high ground. Two armies of equal skill and size can meet, but if one is given the high ground then the fight is not a fair fight. The high ground provides many advantages. The army with the high ground has a better view of the field. The army fighting an uphill battle will grow tired more quickly and will move more slowly. Also, the army who is in an elevated position above their enemies can get greater range out their weapons, while their enemies will have less range when firing uphill.
Again, let me remind you of the truth of this Psalm. There is a Rock that is Higher! And as the Psalmist continues, “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” Our protection is found in our Rock! Our Rock is Christ, and in Christ we have refuge. We have a stronghold that will not fail us.