Encouragement
FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH....
PSALM 61
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations.
May he be enthroned in God’s presence for ever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
Then will I ever sing praise to Your name and fulfill my vows day after day.”
This message is especially for those who have been facing enemy activity in their work or relationships. It shows us what we need to do to overcome the attacks that come against us – cry out to God, even from the ‘ends of the earth’!
This little Psalm is a beautiful expression of David’s heart, and one we can all identify with. It was written after David had come to the throne, and probably during his time of exile from Jerusalem, when he had to flee from his son Absalom. He was facing the betrayal of his own flesh and blood, and the loss of his throne, as he became a fugitive, in a distant land. Fear followed him as he fled from his son who intended not only to usurp the throne but kill him as well. His fortunes had changed overnight. From being the king of his castle and the head of the nation, David was suddenly not sure if he would be alive the next day, as he became a fugitive under a death threat. His life was filled with uncertainty and confusion. Imagine the heartache he experienced when he thought about the treachery and betrayal of his own son! He was not even sure anymore whether some of the people in his life were friends or foes. He was having a very bleak time!
David was far from the tabernacle of God, which was seen as the abode of God. It was the place to which he would go daily to seek God, and offer his sacrifices of worship. Although he was distanced from the place he normally met with God, he cried out to God from where he was. He called on the name of the Lord. He demanded God’s attention and response! Of those who claim the name of Jesus some are content simply to perform their rituals; others are happy when they have prayed their prayers to God. But the disciples of the Lord seek His response and make their voices heard. David shouted to God with all his might – he cried out to God. He was determined to make himself heard!
When we are in distress, it sometimes feels like God is very far away. We may feel like we are calling out to God from the ends of the earth. Being separated from the tabernacle of God’s presence and the place of his calling made David feel like he had gone to the ends of the earth (even though he was only about 2 days’ walk away!). His troubles made him feel like he was separated from God. But he cried out to God anyway – he knew he could call on the name of the Lord from anywhere. He was feeling weak and weary, overwhelmed with the struggle, battered mentally and physically, but he knew that once he climbed on to the “Rock” he would be safe. I am reminded of a little child who is afraid or needs some help. He knows his mother is somewhere in the house but he cannot see her because she is in another room; so he lifts his voice and shouts out loud, calling for her to come!
Charles Spurgeon (1834-92) wrote about a rocky cliff on the northern shore of England, where sailors would frequently be drowned after being shipwrecked, because they had no way to climb up the steep chalky rock face to safety. One day a priest painfully cut steps into the face of the hard rock, which made it possible for shipwrecked sailors to get out of the stormy seas and on to the rock to safety. The steps made it possible for them to climb safely on to the refuge of the rock that was higher than they were, and higher than the raging ocean. We may try to stand on our own strength or wisdom, but we stand on shaky ground. We may think we can save ourselves by our own efforts, but the waves of our circumstances can knock us down, wash right over us, and even submerge us completely. But when we call on the name of the Lord, and begin to climb those steps (the blessed Holy Spirit) which take us higher, to stand on Jesus, the rock of our salvation, we finally stand safe! He is our refuge; He is our strong tower against the enemy poised to attack us. He is the unshakeable wall behind which we can hide! He is Christ the solid Rock!
David had been banished from Jerusalem and the tabernacle, but he longed to be in the holy place, offering sacrifices of worship at the altar. He knew there was no safer place than in the presence of the Lord; there was no better joy he could ever know than in worship. When he was in God’s holy presence, he knew he was covered by the “shelter of His wings”. David remembered how good it was to be with the Lord. He recalled the promises he had made to the Lord in the past, and how the Lord had received his vows and blessed him. He thought about the goodness of God. He felt blessed to be a child of God. In the face of a threat on his life, he asked God for protection and long life, and for the opportunity to be back upon the throne, serving God as he served God’s people.
God heard David’s prayer and responded. We know from the book of 2 Samuel that David ascended his throne again a few days later, and he lived a long and prosperous life. His throne passed on through the succeeding generations, until the birth of Jesus (a descendent of David through His human bloodline), whose throne is for eternity! So what did David do that turned his situation around? He prayed!
We live in a fallen world and there are times when we all have to deal with difficult and sometimes painful situations. When faced with an unexpected challenge we may step into ‘emergency mode’ and rush into action, without doing the most important thing that needs to be done before anything else – prayer! Too often we turn to the arm of flesh, when our first step out of the stormy waters is to call on the name of Jesus. Stop relying on your earthly friends, and start seeking God! Even the Lord Jesus cried out to God as He hung on the cross, saying “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
So precious people, there is no point running away from God or His people, or isolating yourself when you experience difficulties and disappointments. It is fruitless to blame Him or anyone else, or turn against the ones who care for you. Just call on the name of Jesus. Cry out to God! Only He is our refuge and our strength. And as you sincerely seek Him, the precious Holy Spirit will pick you up and lift you out of the stormy seas, to fill you with peace once more, direct your way, and place you firmly on the Rock that can never be moved!
There are a few tips we can take from David:
1)David called to the Lord, even though he felt far away from God and lost in his troubles.
2)David cried to the Lord with all the passion of his heart. He poured out his heart to the Lord, with a loud voice. He was determined to be heard.
3)David sought a response from the Lord. He said ‘Listen to my prayer’! He was not content with a one way conversation; he meant ‘answer me’.
4)David did not depend on another person’s prayers for him – he exercised his own faith and stood on his relationship with God.
5)David committed to worship God and serve Him always.
Friend, you may be going through a difficult time right now, but believe that God wants to take you to a higher place, and to greener pastures. You may be experiencing the betrayal and attack of those you trusted and loved, but you are standing on the Rock of ages, which never changes like shifting shadows. Know that as you cry out to Him and seek Him, He will be found by you (Jeremiah 29:13).
Or perhaps you feel that sin has come between you and the Father, and that there is too much distance between you to bridge. The blood of Jesus cries mercy on your behalf!
It may seem to you like God is very far away and you are calling from the ends of the earth, but He is only a prayer away. When you call to Him in your trouble, He will answer you and lift you up. (Psalm 91:15 – “He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”) God loves you and has good plans for you, and as you decide to get on your knees and seek His face, you will see the transformation, the breakthrough you are waiting for.
May God bless you; may He answer you when you call; may you see radical answers to radical prayers and experience the power of standing on the Rock!
Minoli Haththotuwa
www.wingslikeeagles.info
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