Psalm 61:2 From the ends of the earth I call on You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
In schools, educators are faced with more than knowing their subject matter. They spend a great deal of time on how best to proceed. A variety of methods are put forward and though experts seemingly can’t agree on anything, there is one thing that is beyond argument: we have a problem! The problem is often identified as self-esteem. If only students and teachers had a healthy self-esteem, they would perform better.
David had many problems. For someone who, as a boy, travel meant taking the sheep to a different hill, he had begun to see the world. He had even ended up in the land of Israel’s feared enemies: the Philistines. It seemed he couldn’t go further. He wasn’t there out of choice. He was on the run from a king that he’d done nothing to but serve well. Yet the king wanted him dead. He never imagined he could end up here. What should he do? What could he do? He could call on God.
Really David had a lot to be proud of. He had, when younger, been a good shepherd of his flock, protecting them against even large predators like lions and bears. He had become a captain of soldiers and led them on many successful missions against a more-accomplished army. He had even done what no other Israelite was willing or able to do: face and defeat the giant champion of Philistia, Goliath. He really had a lot that he could lay claim to. But, while he didn’t discount those things, he didn’t lean on them.
He knew that what he needed was not a morale boost, not a good talking to, not a mirror that he might look into and repeat how strong he was. He needs a rock. A Rock that was higher than himself. He needed God. David had been able to do all that he’d accomplished in life because he had learned early on to turn to and depend on God. He knew that even when we work hard we sometimes come to the end of ourselves. David was impressive, but he also knew that he wasn't enough.
Every once in a while, I hear something that seems like it’s really spiritual, but is actually bad theology. It’s some version of, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” I’m sorry. But that is just wrong. God doesn’t want you to handle everything. He wants you to turn to Him. He is bigger than your problems. He is the Rock that is higher than you!
Blessings,
Pastor Russ
