Lead Me to the Rock That Is Higher Than I
“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” (Psalm 61:1-2, ESV).
Lead Me to the Rock That is Higher Than I
We sit in the yard as the songbirds swoop beneath the pale blue canopy overhead.
It’s hard to believe August has come. The sun is setting earlier, and the nights will soon grow cooler. These shorter days speak of what’s to come, and I’m not sure I’m ready.
Long summer days spent sitting in the backyard and swimming in the creek will draw to a close. The kids will return to school, and our evenings will be filled with sports and homework.
As we prepare for this school year’s new beginning, I ask God what he wants me to know about the months ahead.
The words of a Psalm come to mind: “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” (Psalm 61:1-2, ESV).
Perhaps you’re facing a season of transition today as well.
Sometimes, these transitions are exciting and filled with hope. At other times, they feel uncertain and filled with anxiety. No matter what kind of transition you’re facing today, here are a few words to cling to:
“Lead me to the rock that is higher than I”
When I read these words, I think of what it means to find shelter in God, to rest in him. Let’s talk about how to rest in God in uncertain times.
1. We find rest in God by asking him to help us grow in trust.
A few years ago, a dream I’d been chasing came crashing to the ground. I didn’t understand what God was doing, and I was deeply hurt. I didn’t know how to move forward.
Sitting in the woods on a quiet evening, I realized that I was having a tough time trusting God with the parts of my story that didn’t make sense.
Ever so gently, I sensed the Lord leading me to pray this prayer: “Father, I don’t trust you yet. Please help me to trust you more.”
Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to trust in the Lord with our whole hearts. When trust doesn’t come easily, we don’t need to shame ourselves. Instead, we surrender to God by praying, “Lord, help me to trust you more.”
If your future looks uncertain today, ask God to help you grow in trust.
2. We don’t lean on our own understanding.
The second part of Provers 3:5 tells us not to lean on our own understanding.
When my dream fell apart, I didn’t understand what was happening.
What I couldn’t see was that God was protecting me. He had a better plan for me. As I asked him to help me trust him, I began to find peace. I was able to surrender my dream, my hopes, and my expectations to God.
It didn’t happen immediately; however, over time, God worked in my heart and helped me trust him as he brought a bigger and better dream to life. I was able to look back and see that God closed one door because he had a better one waiting for me.
3. We stay close to God even when we don’t understand his ways.
John 15:4 teaches that we will bear fruit as long as we abide in Christ. We surrender to God in difficult times by staying close to him.
When life is difficult, most of us face the temptation to take offense, turn away from God, and rely on our own strength. Instead, God invites us to draw near to him as we wait for him to move.
Are you struggling to trust God?
Keep talking to him.
Stay close. Stay in the word. He will reveal himself to you and carry you through the darkest days.
4. We return to the Rock daily.
Years ago, we faced a terrifying medical prognosis for our unborn child.
I was paralyzed by fear.
Finally, God showed me how to find freedom from fear. I let myself imagine every worst-case scenario possible. I imagined holding our child’s life in my hands, and I lifted our child to God in an act of surrender. As I surrendered our child to the Lord, I declared his goodness as my mind raced through every worst-case scenario:
Even if our child didn’t survive, God would still be good. He would carry us.
Even if our child had severe limitations in life, God would still be good.
No matter the outcome, our child belonged to God, and God cannot be anything other than good.
This relinquishment process set me free from fear.
I no longer felt like I was running from some awful scenario, and I knew it wasn’t my job to fix the situation. Fear lost its grip on me. I had given it to God.
This relinquishment wasn’t a one-time event.
I had to relinquish my fears many times. However, I eventually found that I was standing on a firm foundation of faith. Repeated relinquishment taught me to trust God.
5. We rest in God by resisting worry.
Most of us know all about spiraling thoughts. The doctor calls and requests a biopsy, and our minds run miles ahead with fear and dozens of horrible scenarios. A friend calls and asks to “talk,” and our minds replay every conversation we can remember as we hope we haven’t been offensive.
How do we rest in God in these stressful situations?
We refuse to let our minds spiral ahead of us.
Much of what we worry about never ends up happening. Even when it does happen, worrying is never helpful.
Much of what we worry about never ends up happening. Even when it does happen, worrying is never helpful. #worry #faith #rest #peace Share on XLead Me to the Rock That Is Higher Than I
As our family prepares for another transition, I’m continuing to run to the Rock.
God invites you to find shelter and refuge in his presence, too. You can trust that he will be with you throughout each step of the journey ahead.
A Free Devotional for Difficult Times
God is waiting to heal your heart, lift your head, and pull you from your lowest moment. Rays of Light for the Dark Days is your daily guide. This free online devotional will inspire, comfort, and uplift you. Click here and I’ll send it to your email inbox—no strings attached.
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