There has been a lot going on in our church family, and in this world in general. Somedays it seems almost overwhelming. People we know are very sick, and even terminal, others are too busy and overworked or face too many demands, others are looking for work or in need of money for bills, and others have lost people they love. Then if we turn on the news, or read our Facebook feed, we become inundated with unrest, political and racial divides, growing lawlessness, moral decay and wars. Somedays, it just seems to weigh us down. We don’t know where to turn or what to do. If we think about things for too long, then sadness can grow in us and feelings of hopelessness. That is not how God wants us to live. He doesn’t want us stressed out, worried, sad, hopeless. God wants us depending on Him, trusting Him, free from worry. There are many people in the Bible and the nation of Israel, as a whole, who have faced these same stresses and felt overwhelmed. David certainly faced many obstacles, trials, hurts over his lifetime. Let’s read some verses from on of his Psalms.

No one knows for sure when David prayed this prayer. Some think it might have been when he was on the run from his son Absalom. Just these first two lines of David’s prayer can teach us some important things. David is in some kind of trouble or distress. So much so that he feels overwhelmed. And what did he do when he felt overwhelmed. He cried out to God.
Like David, we need to cry out or pray to God when we feel overwhelmed.

Sometimes we might just want to curl up under the covers, or rant and scream or try to work on solutions for our problems. But really, the first place to go when feeling overwhelmed is straight to God.

With the words “From the end of the earth”, tells us just how overwhelmed he was at that moment.

“From the end of the earth” is imagery that tells us that David was at the end of human understanding, strength and resources

I’ve been there, haven’t you. Physically drained from too much work, emotionally drained from issues with people or life’s problems. Spiritually zapped from giving myself to ministry. You feel like you are at the end of the earth, no one else is around, there is no white knight on a horse coming to save you or get you through the latest problem. Let’s read what happened to Elijah in I Kings 19: 1 – 8.

Elijah boldly served the Lord and now was on the run for his life. After his bravery on Mt. Carmel and running for a day he was exhausted and overwhelmed. He felt like he would be better off dead. What are the two things that he did once he stopped running? He prayed and rested.

Praying about our situation and then resting is one of the best things we can do when feeling overwhelmed.

The Lord heard his prayer and gave him refreshment, strengthening and instruction. What more could anyone ask for in that situation? Sometimes we just need to be still, rest, or take a break away from our problems. If it is just our frustrations with society, the government or the world, then maybe we just need to turn off the TV, pray, and take a good break from all the negative input. Going back to David’s prayer in Psalm 61:2b

2b Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

What did David pray in his distress? “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I”.

David needed the rock, a place of stability and security, something strong enough to stand against crashing waves or quaking earth.

David needed a rock that is higher or a place above himself, above his wisdom, above his abilities.

David needed God to lead him to that rock. David was unable to get to the firm-footed place above his crisis on his own.

As they say… Let Go and Let God! Pray for God to lead you.

Now let’s read a few more verses of David’s prayer in Psalm 61: 3 – 4

What is David doing here in these lines of his prayer? He is remembering what God has done and trusting or abiding in God.

When facing problems, tough times, or emotional heartaches take time to stop and remember what God has done in the past for you or what great things He did in the Bible for others.

When I remember the things God has done for me, like meeting financial needs, or provided healing or strength and gifts for ministry, I am immediately encouraged and strengthened in the faith. I saw God work in my life, when I thought things were impossible. He is the same loving, kind, generous and faithful God He has always been. He took care of me in the past, he can take care of me now. Therefore, like David, I can just rest in God.
We can abide or rest in God and trust Him when we remember what He has done for us in the past.

I love David’s confidence in God in Psalm 3: 1 – 8.