Psalm 61

I want to look at just the first four verses today. David says in verse 2 that when his heart is overwhelmed that he wants to be lead to the rock that is higher then he is. David goes on to say that God has been a shelter, a strong tower, and a place of refuge under God’s wings.

I find the first statement very intriguing. How many times do we try to rely solely upon ourselves as though we were the highest rock around? David knew that he was capable of doing great things. He had lead men into battle and he had increased the boundaries of Israel through war. He was both a great leader and a great thinker. Yet, he knew that when his resources were exhausted that there was one whose resources were never exhausted: God.

In the next two verses, David reminds us that when we do become overwhelmed, God is a refuge for us. I like to think of it this way. David says that God is a shelter. When I think of a shelter I think of something that protects from the rain, snow, wind, and cold: things that we have control over. God protects us against those things which are out of our control. Next David says that God is a strong tower. A strong tower was a defense against enemies. God protects us against those that hate us for no reason and those that hate us because of our own foolishness. Finally, David says that he hides in the “covert” of God’s wings. When we become so overwhelmed by all that life may throw at us, God doesn’t simply provide protection he becomes the protection for us. God hides us within Himself and takes care of us.

We need to realize the depth and breadth of all that God is. If David needed to walk with God constantly, being a great leader and powerful man, then it would just make sense that we should seek God constantly also.

Students need to know also that when friends, parents, or events in their lives turn sour, that God always has just the right kind of protection ready for them. That when no one else can see them through their personal struggles, God can.