LEAD ME TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I – Psalm 61 and Exodus 4: 1-17 – Sharon Fortune
(Watch past sermons on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hope-United-Methodist-Church-116517175038771)

In today’s scripture, Psalm 61, we hear David calling out to God for help. His heart is overwhelmed.

1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint.

The psalm doesn’t tell us what David’s situation is when he wrote it. When I researched the psalm looking at commentaries and sermons, there wasn’t a definite answer to that question, but several people speculated that it might have been when King David was on the run from his son, Absalom. Absalom had been in hiding for three years after killing his half brother, Amnon. David missed Absalom and allowed him to come back. But, instead of being grateful, Absalom started plotting to take over the throne. He undermined his father by building himself up in the eyes of the people and talking against David. When David heard about the rebellion he fled Jerusalem with all his officials and household following. Absalom and his followers pursued David with the intent to kill him. David was in turmoil over holding onto the throne and preserving the life of his son. In the end, David’s men killed Absalom much to David’s anguish.

There is plenty here to see why David would be overwhelmed. His situation required more than he could handle on his own.