When My Heart Is Overwhelmed...

'Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.

From the end of the Earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.'

Psalm 61:1-2

Psalm 61

A Psalm of David, it is thought that Psalm 61 was composed after he ascended to the throne, possibly during Absalom's rebellion, when David fled Jerusalem.

David's cry rises up to heaven, his prayer before God's throne.

The Hebrew word used here for 'cry' is very intense, meaning, 'Hear my loud wailing, O Lord.' - Smith's

David pleads with the Lord to listen to his prayer and respond to his lament.

At a time when his soul is overwhelmed and his heart grows faint, he longs for the strength, security, and shelter of the Almighty.

But he cannot reach this place himself.

He needs God to uplift him; he needs God to lead him to that sanctuary of comfort and safety.

Sheltered by the Almighty

'For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.' Ps. 61:3

David feels he is at the end of the Earth, both actually and figuratively, possibly far from Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God, and in a state of deep sorrow and despair.

Yet even in his distress, he remembers that God has been his refuge and strong tower.

Drawing strength from past experience, David expresses unwavering confidence in God.

He is unchangeable and worthy of trust.

Therefore, he desires to dwell in God's presence forever.

Sweet is beyond expression to remember the loving kindness of the Lord in our former days, for he is unchangeable, and therefore will continue to guard us from all evil. - C. H. Spurgeon

The psalm begins with lament but continues with words of confidence.

David's vows have been heard by God, and his commitment was blessed by God.

He has answered his prayers before and protected him from all his enemies.

David recognises his life and reign are in God's hands - he will rely on God's mercy, truth, love and faithfulness to sustain him.

God is Close to the Brokenhearted

I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Ps 61:4b

Many of life's trials can overwhelm our hearts - loneliness, illness, lack, loss, disappointment, or betrayal. Grief, despair, and hopelessness can easily set in, and the Rock of safety may seem so high and out of reach.

Fear arises when we imagine everything depends on us. - Elisabeth Elliot

But amid a desperate situation, looking back at God's faithfulness and trusting in God's character, David's spirit is revived and strengthened.

His loud wailing is turned to praise, and his commitment to the Lord is renewed.

When my heart is overwhelmed: - when the huge waves of trouble wash over me, and I am completely submerged, not only as to my head, but also my heart. It is hard to pray when the very heart is drowning, yet gracious men plead best at such times. Tribulation brings us to God and brings God to us. Faith's greatest triumphs are achieved in her heaviest trials. It is all over with me, affliction is all over me; it encompasses me as a cloud, it swallows me up like a sea, it shuts me in with thick darkness, yet God is near, near enough to hear my voice, and I will call him. - C. H. Spurgeon

Is your heart faint and overwhelmed by life's trials and afflictions?

Do you long for a place of comfort and safety, but this seems so high and out of reach?

You can be sheltered by God, who is unchangeable - the same yesterday, today, and forever.

An ever-present help in trouble, a fortress, a stronghold, and a Saviour.

God can lead you to the Rock that is higher than you.

For all who believe, God dwells not only with us, but within us.

The dwelling place of God is now with his people and forever will be. Ephesians 2:22, Revelation 21:3-4

There is a place of refuge, a place of strength and safety in Jesus, the Rock that is higher than us. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4,

When our hearts are overwhelmed, Jesus comforts us.

When we are at the end of our strength, He carries us.

In the midst of danger, He delivers us.

And at the end of our lives, He saves us.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength is gone, ere the day is half through, when we have reached the end of our hoarded resources, our Father's full giving has only begun. His grace has no limits, His love has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto man, For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again. - He Giveth More Grace

A Song of Victory

I will sing praise to Your name forever. Ps. 61:8a

This psalm was not the last of David's songs.

When the Lord delivered him from all his enemies, he composed another song, recorded in 2 Samuel 22.

A song of victory, a song of praise.

For the Lord was, is, and will forever be faithful.

A stronghold, a refuge, a rock for all who fear Him.

'The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield and the horn of my salvation.

He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Saviour.' 2 Samuel 22:1-3a