“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2From the end of the earth will I cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [yes, a rock that is too high for me]. 3For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary.” Psalm 61:1-3 (AMP)
Verse 2 was the reason I started writing this post…but I couldn’t get past David’s tone. It sounds like he is king at this time (v. 6) and many scholars have concluded that this Psalm was written during Absalom’s rebellion and his exile from Jerusalem. He’s clearly enduring a time of deep affliction. He’s past the point of desire to the point of urgent need. He’s desperate.
I think this is probably the first time I’ve ever concluded that there’s something special about desperation. It has no regard for the box. Hope is noticeably absent and it produces a hunger that is insatiable by anything other than it’s object. Perhaps the best and most important thing is that it brings us to the end of ourselves and, if done right, leads us right to the feet of God.
Though the comfort of this world and all of it’s trappings are employed to convince us otherwise, it is a good thing to be desperate for God. Having needs that transcend our own ability to fulfill are an inevitable fact of our humanness. But the resulting desperation triggers our NEED for God. Though the weight of it’s promptings are often heavy and unbearable, our arrival there is an imperative. Desire alone is not compelling enough. When you’re not desperate for God, you’re not crying out to Him. A cry to God is an indication of humility and surrender. It is a realization that the Rock…this symbol of salvation and representation of solidity, consistency, protection and peace is not a viable resting place for us unless the Lord places us there. Desperation is a place that only God can bring us to and simultaneously meet us there to cure it.
John 6:35 (AMP) says:
“Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).”
He IS our sustenance. People and possessions are not suitable replacements and there’s no alternate route. Desperation is inappropriate unless it’s for God. Only His attention to the matter will satisfy. We are in a wonderful place when we charge THE LORD with our fulfillment. IF you believe in, cleave to, trust in and rely on Him, you will ALWAYS be satisfied. Always.
God, thank You for afflictions, tests and trials. For should we look to You, therein lies the opportunity for not only relief, but the utmost satisfaction…
Maybe next time I’ll share my thoughts on Verse 2…:-).
The Thankfulness Project 
Hi I read this I believe this would help my Grand daughter. Her husband of a year. Has told her he doesn’t want to be married anymore and she is devastated . Please pray for her name is Samantha
Posted by Barbara | January 16, 2014, 5:52 amHi Barbara…I will absolutely remember your granddaughter in prayer. I can’t imagine what she is going through at this time. But we can take comfort in knowing that God is near to the broken-hearted and that He promises that we will never be alone. In trusting God for resolution and peace (that only He can give) in the meantime.
Posted by apb82 | January 16, 2014, 6:10 am