The Rock That Is Higher, June 25
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Thomas Sherrod
“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 NIV).
I am sure you have heard the phrase, “I’m at the end of my rope.” We have all felt, at some point, like we have gone as far as we can go, and we have exhausted our resources. “I have tried everything I know to do” is an expression of exasperation. My wife and I attempted to fix our washer for three weeks without success. Finally, I said, “I don’t know what else to do.” We ended up buying a new one. And now we love hearing the quiet of a well-functioning washer.
In today’s verse, the Psalmist is at the end of his rope. He exclaims, “I call as my heart grows faint.” He might have tried everything he knew to do. Similarly, cancer may have brought you to the point of exhaustion. You may have depleted all your resources. You may have tried everything to stop the nausea, the pain, or the feeling of isolation. You may not feel the strength to reach out and ask for help. Your heart may feel faint.
What does the Psalmist do in his desperation? Does he try on his own one more time? Does he give up? Does he grit his teeth and call upon an “inner strength?” No, he does not. He calls out to the Lord from the ends of the earth. We do not have to be in a good place spiritually or emotionally to call out to the Lord. We can call out to the Lord from wherever we are, from the ends of the earth.
Your footing may have become unsure. You may need a rock to stand upon. The Psalmist asks to be led to the rock that is higher than he. He knows he needs help to find the way home, to the rock of his salvation. He asks God to lead him, and carry him, if need be. He knows his footing is weak and he needs the security of God’s presence. What a blessing to know God is a rock to stand upon. I used to have a sign on my desk at work saying, “There is a God, and you are not Him.” God is infinitely higher than you. You can trust Him with all your needs.
Pray: Lord, give me the humility to call upon Your strength. Give me a firm place to stand in the changing tides of this world. Amen.
Your Turn: Take a moment, close your eyes and lift up your hand. Now, simply ask God for the grace to grab His hand and let Him pull you up to the rock that is higher than you.
Thomas W. Sherrod, Cancer Survivor
Tom is a retired hospital chaplain who works part time for Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health System in North Carolina. He organized and facilitated a cancer support group for twenty years as part of his hospital ministry. He is married for forty-four years and enjoys his three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. He is a recent survivor of prostate cancer and is immensely thankful for all of God's grace and provisions through it all.
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