Good Morning! 2010.07.12 - Psalm 61:2-3 - The Rock That Is Higher Than I

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy (Psalm 61:2-3).

The rock that is higher. Military officers know the great advantage of high ground. Adding a big rock to the higher ground is much better. To say that Almighty God is that rock is the ultimate protection. All men do not depend upon God as their rock and are terribly disadvantaged in their thinking. Whether we are assaulted by weather or by weapons of war or by other engines of destruction, there is no substitute for having God as our rock and fortress.

Whether the device of protection is a rock, a citadel, a buckler, a shield or a high tower, it affects one's sense of security and well-being. Sometimes people say: "I'm O.K." or "I'm fine" as a verbal shield of safety. It may not be much but it's all they have. We are determined to feel as safe as we can.

Once when I was flying in a Cuban airliner over Cuba at night under the clouds in an electrical storm and lightning was flashing like swords past the wings and the exhaust manifolds had turned cherry red, I did not feel safe. The plane was hitting air pockets and dropping several feet. I may have been safe but I didn't feel safe. When we landed there were oil streaks running along the sides of the engines. It was a good time to pray.

Such experiences provoke us to cry out to God. Where is my Rock? I must have the Rock that is higher than I. For fifty years it seemed that I practically lived in hospitals and funeral homes. I want to tell you that today's verses may be the very thing you need to grasp with all your might. Every week I carry a verse with me to memorize and meditate on. Those are my verses for this week.

President Abraham Lincoln, in the latter part of his life, carried Bible verses in his pocket to use in memorizing. It's not a matter of being too busy but of simply deciding that we should focus on a verse and think of it often during the day, every day of that week. It is productive for anyone who will establish the habit. I do it because I'm not spiritual and need help for my mind and soul. I need to think about "the Rock that is higher than I." Judges 6:2; Psalm 27:5;

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (Psalm 18:2-3)