I COULD USE SOME HELP!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my
heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
(Psalm 61:2)

MEDITATION:
Sometimes we all reach a low point in our lives, and it creates in us
a desire to reach out to someone hoping to find some relief. It doesn’t
mean we have lost our faith, or that we don’t trust the Lord, we just
suddenly get discouraged, stressed, or depressed and are looking for
some immediate, tangible help.

When we become a Christian, it doesn’t mean that we will live every
day on a ‘spiritual high’. It also doesn’t mean we will never sink into
a valley at times. What it does mean is, that no matter where we are,
and no matter what is going on, God’s grace, peace, and joy are there
with us.

It may not seem like it at times, especially if our focus is on our problem,
our mood, or what the world offers as a solution. The tears still come, the
pressures are still felt, and temptations will continue to invade our thoughts.
But because we have faith, we have a new dimension, a new direction, and a
new power to face the circumstances we are living in.

At times Paul sank to the depths of discouragement; and so did David the
Psalmist. David took action to cope with his situation and his feelings. His
first action was to ‘call on the Lord’. He may not have ‘felt’ like the Lord
was close at that time, but that didn’t stop him from calling out His name.

Remember, this is the same David who wasn’t concerned about Goliath’s
strength. Why? Because he knew of the Lord’s power. However, at this
time, he was discouraged to the point his ‘heart was growing faint’, and
he knew he needed to call on his source of help and strength – the Lord.

He didn’t turn to his friends, or those trained in counseling, but he
contacted the One he knew could fully understand his situation. He
called on the One who had proven to be dependable in providing him
with help and encouragement during previous times of concern and
discouragement.

David was also specific with his request for help. As he could feel himself
sinking lower in spirit, he asked the Lord to lead him to a ‘rock’. He was
in need of something to cling that would stop his sinking. However, the
‘rock’ he was seeking was not just ‘any rock’.

Just ‘any rock’ would keep him in the same valley he was currently
in, so he asked the Lord for a ‘rock’ that was much higher than the
place he was currently in. He wanted something he could grasp so
he could pull himself up. In essence, he was saying,
    “Lord, I am really down right now and You seem so far away.
      Nevertheless, I know that You are my only source of hope for
      encouragement. Even though I can’t see You and feel Your
      presence, I will still call on You, because I have faith that You
      will hear me. The world can’t provide me with what I need,
      because nothing in the world can read my heart as You can.
      You know my state of being and what can elevate me out of
      this valley. I am asking You to provide me with a rock of
      encouragement that I can cling to and pull myself out of
      this depressing mire I am struggling with. Help me to focus
     more on You than I do on my problems.”

Isn’t it comforting to know that throughout history, others have also
sunk into depression, but they knew where to go for relief. They may
not have ‘felt’ like calling on the Lord, but they had a faith and trust
in His ability to give them what they needed, when they needed it.

We can see the value of reading God’s Word, can’t we? Without
reading about these instances in other believers, we could assume
all kinds of wrong things. We could question our relationship with
the Lord, if we didn’t read about others before us who also felt the
Lord was very far away from them.

We could flounder around for a long time trying to solve our situation
in our own strength, if we didn’t read about how others with problems
went to the Lord and found relief and encouragement. We could spend
time praying in generalities, if we didn’t read about how others made
specific requests, whenever they cried out to the Lord.

ACTION:
Are you in an unpleasant or undesirable point in your own life right now?
Have you been trying to seek help from the world, or have you been relying
on your own strength? Consider the example set forth by other believers
before you who have dealt with similar circumstances in their lives.

Ask yourself this question:
    Even though the Lord seems far away from me and my circumstances,
    do I believe He exists, that He knows my situation, that He wants what
    is best for me as a member of His family, that He hears my prayers, and
    that He will answer my prayers in the best way for my spiritual growth?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always there even
during the times You seem far away from me. I know that I
can always call on You and You will hear my prayers. Thank
You for being the One I can depend on to provide me with a
rock of encouragement that is solid and dependable. Thank
You for Your Word that gives me examples of Your faithful
and trustworthy help to other people of faith before me. If
it wasn’t for my faith that You are available, caring, loving
and dependable, I would have no hope. You are my Rock and
You are the One I look to for encouragement that will lift my
head.”

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