Feeling powerless and hopeless in a situation can destroy us. It can eat away at us slowly and tear us down. Where do we turn? What do we do? How do we find our way out? How can we fix this? What self-help technique would be the best?
There is no shortage of advice on how to fix ourselves. There are programs and books, videos and seminars. If we want to fix ourselves, there are a million different ways to do it. We just haven’t tried the right one, right? Surely we can pick ourselves up at some point, right? And then, we realize the issue is that we are trying to fix us. We begin to believe that the key is all about us. And we beat ourselves up when we can’t get it right. We feel distraught when we have tried so many different ideas and nothing is working. We can even think that there is something wrong with us. It is a horrible cycle we can get caught up trying to figure out.
Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of wonderful ideas and programs that can help. But sometimes, the answer is that we need help other than our own power. We need assistance that goes beyond our abilities. Sometimes, we need to rest and be sheltered by a protective cover. Sometimes, we need to realize that the power we seek is in the One that created us.
In Psalm 61, we walk with the Psalmist. There is a crying out to be heard. There is a desperation to continue. And there is a plea for care. The Psalmist reaches out to God, the refuge, strong tower and the provider of shelter. God is the One the Psalmist seeks. And maybe we join the Psalmist today. Maybe we need the strong tower. Maybe we need the refuge. Maybe we need to rest under the shelter of God’s mighty wings. Hear our cry, O God.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 61:1-4
1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I call to you,
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I;
3 for you are my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me abide in your tent forever,
find refuge under the shelter of your wings.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 