Psalm 71:3 “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.”
When life is like a roller coaster ride, with steep hills and tremendous dips, it is easy to let our emotions start to control us. This is especially true when we are going through difficult times. When it comes to dealing with the emotional highs and lows that life brings, the Book of Psalms is always a great help. Many of the Psalms were written by David – a man after God’s own heart – who faced immense difficulties and still discovered heavenly strength that enabled him to not only survive but also thrive!
It’s possible that you’re feeling overwhelmed, but you don’t have to overcome it yourself. Personalising the promises found in the Book of Psalms allows us to gain perspective, which in turn provides us with a sense of equilibrium and steadiness. Life is not easy. It is possible for our emotions and insecurity to be compounded by both internal anxieties and external opponents, which can leave us feeling emotionally exhausted and even frightened. Psalm 71 provides us with a safe haven, a rock of refuge that we may always turn to in times of need. Yes, that location is actually God Himself – our rock.
In times of uncertainty or when we are feeling threatened, what could be more reassuring than the knowledge that we have a God to whom we can always turn? “Give the command to save me,” the Psalmist cried to God almighty. Did you ever pray for something to happen? Peter was afraid and beginning to sink in the storm-tossed waves of doubt and disbelief, he cried, “Lord, save me!”
It was only then that the Bible said, “And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him ….” (Matthew 14:31). How often do we let our emotions get the best of us and find ourselves sinking in despair when we only need to cry out to the One who would save us? He is our source of strength and stability when life knocks us off balance.
Christ understands how powerful and deceptive our emotions can be and so we do not have to let our feelings dictate our behaviour. It is possible for us to hand them over to His care and control. Fear will then be replaced by faith, and the hope that we have for the future will be strengthened.
The Psalmist expressed a number of fears in this chapter but ended in praise because he took those fears to God. Rather than remaining on the shifting sand of circumstances, claim this promise in your life and take your stand on solid rock.