Higher

Psalm 61:1-8 NKJV
[1] Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. [2] 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. [3] For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. [4] I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah [5] For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. [6] You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations. [7] He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! [8] So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows.

Good Morning!
There are many times in our lives when we are overwhelmed by life. Whether it be job stress, financial stress, relationship stress, worrying about a loved one, health, loss of a loved one or just a schedule that is frantic and demanding (life can be so stressful), God understands. He wants us to turn to him when life gets to be overwhelming. Psalm 61 helped me when I was mourning a friend after he committed suicide. I felt really guilty that I had not reached out to him more. I felt deep sadness and pain and my heart was overwhelmed. God is the rock that is higher than I, and He really dealt with me through this particular scripture and it gave me peace. I will keep this passage close to my heart for any new challenges that life throws at me. I know that there will be many more challenges in this life to face, as we all will. Knowing that God is with us, for us and watches over us and resting in the shelter of His wings, brings me peace and the ability to keep pilgriming on every day.

This life is a pilgrimage into the next. We need to remember that as followers of Christ. This world is not the end but just the beginning. There is so much more that God has for us in the next life that is higher than this life. The way to be higher in the next is by paying it forward. Jesus told us to lay up our treasures in heaven. That is not a request, but a command. Psalm 62 tells us that men of high degree, if they are weighed on scales, are lighter than vapor. So the stuff of riches and wealth is not what God is concerned about. It is about our hearts, motives and graciousness to others, as well as our trust and hope in Him. God is in the business of saving souls. He loves us dearly and wants all of us to remain with him in eternity — Higher.

Lord, I pray that all of us will be led to the Rock that is higher than I and help those around us to see our lights shine brightly so that they too will want the security of eternal life with you. Amen.

I love you and am praying for you today.
Dad

Psalm 84:5 NKJV
[5] Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

Matthew 6:20-21 NKJV
[20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Psalm 62:7-12 NKJV
[7] In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. [8] Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah [9] Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor. [10] Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them. [11] God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. [12] Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.

2 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV
[8] But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.