Lead Me To The Rock Series

Lead ME to the Rock

CCCAG March 5th, 2017

Scripture: Psalm 61:1-3

Intro- Beginning small series of messages about being “hidden in God”

beginning today with studying Psalm 61.

Background on this Psalm- (Why Chronological bible reading is important)

It is written by King David of Israel. David had many children, from many wives, and this caused some friction within the home.

His first-born son was named Amnon, and Amnon fell in love with his half-sister Tamar. Instead of pursuing a normal relationship with her which may have been blessed by David even if it was against the Law of Moses, he tricked Tamar into his bedroom by faking a sickness and forced himself upon her. After this horrible act was completed, he threw her out and wanted nothing to do with her. Her full brother Absalom, David’s 3rd born son, found her- clothes torn, crying hysterically over what her half-brother had done. Absalom does nothing initially, but for 2 years is secretly plotting against Amnon until the time comes when he can kill him, which he does. Absalom fearing the King’s judgment, flees to his grandfather’s house for 3 years, until David relents and sends word that he has pardoned Absalom so he can return home.

Absalom repays the kings forgiveness by leading a rebellion against David, causing David and most of his household to run for their lives into the desert where he ends up in a stronghold which is a series of caves that you can hide in from your enemies.

Considering all of this- Put yourself in David’s shoes for a moment as he is now alone, and face to face with what has happened under his watch as king-

Your first-born son and heir to the throne is a rapist and his now dead- killed by the same son that is now trying to kill you. The same son that law and justice demanded be put to death for his crimes- yet you showed mercy and pardoned him.

Because of your weakness and your laziness how you ran your kingdom, all of your officials and most of your army have apparently turned their backs on you and followed Absalom.

All the people-your loyal subjects, who have loved you and supported your reign and rule have rebelled and installed Absalom as King.

As a result, the Kingdom that God has promised you is now seemingly being ripped away from you.

In one day, you’ve gone from living in the highest luxury as the most powerful man in the world at that time, to sleeping on a rock in a cave with barely a blanket to keep you warm.

This is where David is at right now.

David is filled with regret,

torn apart by sorrow,

and carrying the weight of his failures both as father and king,

so as an act of worship and contrition, he writes this powerful Psalm to show us how to react when our worlds fall apart, and we are feeling overwhelmed.

I’m going to break with my practice of using the NIV, and use the King James Version as I think it captures the beauty and poetry of the Psalms

To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

(Psa 61:1-3)

Prayer

Today we are going to look at David’s words, and see how he dealt with this horrible situation, and feeling completely overwhelmed by circumstances and situations in life.

I dare say, this might help a few of us who might be feeling the same way. Life in the 21st Century is all about being overwhelmed isn’t it?

Constant stimulus, constant news, constant information overload leaves us exhausted mentally, emotionally, and most important spiritually.

So let’s dig into our lesson today-

This Psalm teaches us several things that we can do when our lives seem to be falling apart, or the feeling of being overwhelmed seems to be choking the life right out of us-

The first thing this Psalm teaches us-

I. Seek Solitude

A. Ask for God to take you away (David-Lead ME to the Rock)

As Christians, Jesus is our example. Prior to the calling of the disciples, Jesus’ best friend and closest relative outside of his mother was John the Baptist. They were cousins, the probably grew up playing Hebrews and Egyptians, their version of cowboys and Indians. They most likely traveled many times to Jerusalem for the various required feasts, and shared their lives together until John’s calling to leave and go into the wilderness to prepare the way for Jesus to be revealed as Messiah.