Psalms 61:1-3 (NASBStr)
Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed 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 a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.
Do you know why you trust in one thing over another? What gives you confidence and what causes you to have alarm or caution? In the above portion of King David's prayer, we see him express great confidence and trust in God. He asks God to "hear" him; to "heed" his prayer. He states even if he was at the end of the earth he would call out to God; even if his heart was faint. The reason is found in the last two lines (verse 3). He knows that God has been his refuge in the past - a "tower" of strength against the enemy. God has come through for David in the past, so he has reason to trust Him in the future. Unlike the world, David doesn't trust riches (they disappear), his friends (they also disappear), or his skill sets (he was a great rock thrower). David leans on the One who doesn't disappoint because HE has NEVER disappointed in the past. David has tried God and found God faithful. So much so that David asks God to not only care for him at the level he is currently walking but David also wants God to take him to the next level. He asks God to "lead me to a rock that is higher than I." Taking it to the next level is a God-thing. We don't exert our muscle to make it to the next level. We must have God take us there. The rock is higher than we are because we are of a lowly state. God wants to take us to higher heights in relationship to Him. That is what David desires. The word picture David uses here brings to mind the rocks and caves he would have hidden in when on the run from Saul and other enemies. He would know the advantage of being on the highest rock. He knew "if" he were higher he could see better, be safe from the rushing floods of the low lands, escape the animals and better spot danger. Or, even better, from a higher rock David could see more of God's marvelous creation and plan. But, David knew that in order to get higher it would be God who would take him there. In this prayer he acknowledges the One who has cared for him and the One who can take him to knew places of safety and beauty.
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