The Rock 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,
for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!” Psalm 61:1-4

“For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken…

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.” Psalm 62:1-2,5-7

Whether the psalmist pleads with God, reaffirms his stance, or begs his soul, his hope and trust are in his only and mighty rock. When distanced from the Lord’s peace, when faint of heart and needy, when tempted to quake in fear and doubt, he turns to God and runs for His refuge. God alone. He alone. God alone. He only. He knows for certain where his soul can rest, and he wants to rest there forever.

Whatever our station in life, we see as we see, both enabled and limited by our specific perspective. We live in a particular locale, have been raised among particular people and atmosphere and mores. We are who we are because we’ve been where we’ve been, in place and experience. Some see life from a posture of defensiveness, anger, suspicion, and competition. Others see through a lens of love, hope, flourishing, and redemption. In Christ, what we’ve always known is brought to a spiritual height that equips us with new abilities to see, understand, and rest from a foundation like no other. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

On squishy sand, we trudge toward a solid surface. On scrabble, we look and feel for sure footing. From low places with limited vision, we clamor for a higher and secure vantage point. There is nothing quite like the Lord our Rock in any precarious or uncertain situation. He is immovable and unchanging. His word is a firm foundation, firmly and eternally fixed in the heavens. (Psalm 119:89)

Has hope floundered, or we cannot see a way forward? Look to the rock that is higher than I. Does confusion confound, or trouble swirl in mind and matter? Think on the rock that is higher than I. Does pain snarl, or do cares weigh heavy? Cling to the rock that is higher than I.

“My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

In ev’ry rough and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the vale.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.

Not earth, nor hell, my soul can move;
I rest upon unchanging love.
I trust his righteous character,
his counsel, promise, and his pow’r.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.” ~Edwards Mote (1834)

Lord, keep me standing, believing, growing, rejoicing on You my Rock.