When my Heart is Overwhelmed

“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings” (Psalm 61:2, 3).

It is always good for us to know our position when we are overwhelmed. The Psalmist uses five metaphors in the above verse. The first metaphor is of a rock. He is asking to be lead to a rock that is higher than himself. In times of trouble it is nice to know that there is something bigger, stronger, and more stable than yourself. God is a rock that doesn’t change. The qualities that typify a rock are: strength, stability, and unchangeableness. With that rock in view as your sole focus, nothing can shake you. When you fix your eyes on it, you fix your eyes on strength. You also fix your eyes above the trouble. No matter what battering happens down below, when the focus is resting on that strength above the storm, you can remain stable. This rock, our Lord, can see where you can’t, can move what you can’t, and can be to you what you can’t. The rock is solid, unmovable and unchangeable. That is a good place to be in a time when you are overwhelmed.

The metaphor then switches from a rock to a shelter. A shelter provides protection, warmth and a barrier from the elements. It is a place of rest from the battering of a relentless storm. The Psalmist says that God has been a shelter for him, that place of rest. The third metaphor is that God is a strong tower from the enemy. A tower, especially a strong one, provides impenetrable protection from the onslaught of the enemy because the walls of the tower keep the enemy out.

Then the metaphor changes to one of a tabernacle which is a place of worship, glory, and joy. Not only is the Psalmist secure when he focuses on God’s strength and protection, but he will worship him in his tabernacle, where he chooses to abide forever.

Therefore, because of all the above, the Psalmist will trust in the shelter of God’s wings. The metaphor of the wing is wonderful. When you think of a mother hen with her chicks, under her wings you see them in a place of nurture, warmth, comfort and protection. They belong to her, she will protect them and they can snuggle contentedly in that protection.

So, when you fix your eyes on God, as a rock that is higher than all your troubles, rest in His shelter from the storm, are secure in His strong tower, worship in His tabernacle, and snuggle under His wings, the battle or hardship cannot take you down. When you use these defenses, you will be able to keep going no matter what because you are focusing and resting on something much higher and stronger than yourself.

“For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me” (Psalm 31:3).