When I go to the Rock of my salvation, I find peace.
I tucked my legs beneath me in the corner of the sofa. Coffee steam rose from my favorite cup placed on the table beside me. I clutched my Bible to my chest and rested my head against the sofa’s back. My eyes closed while I tried to settle my spirit, but settling seemed like a distant desire with no relief in sight. I felt very troubled and peace evaded me.
One of my favorite psalms began to flow from my heart and escape my lips:
Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. 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.
For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah*
… when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock …
… the rock …
I knew the Lord was speaking and wanted to show me something. But what? I turned to my Bible’s concordance and looked up the word “rock.” I was familiar with the term and recognized it as a reference to the Lord, especially in terms of Him being our refuge.
I scoured the verses provided and then came across this one:
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea … and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:1,4
That. Rock. Was. Christ.
Lord, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to Jesus — to drink of His Living Water, to bathe in His grace, to soak in His Peace. Jesus. My Prince of Peace.
What a beautiful Name — the Name above all names. Jesus. The Rock of my salvation. The Lord my righteousness who forgives me and cleanses me that I may come before the Lord my God boldly with the needs of my heart. Jesus. The One who sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for me, who advocates my case before the Father.
He consoles and guides me. He carries me when I’m too weary to continue on my own.
He loves me with an everlasting love and will never leave me.
Oh Jesus, I come to You to drink deeply from Your well. Sustain me, Lord. Uphold me and preserve me during this wilderness time. You are my Rock. You are my Shelter. My Refuge. My peace.
You are my long abiding Friend.
Bless the Name of the Lord
*Psalm 61:1-4
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Congratulations to Kelly Baucom!
Kelly won an autographed copy of The Perils of a Pastor’s Wife. I’m so excited for you Kelly. I pray the words of my heart will minister deeply to you.
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Faith Notes, my new blog addition appearing on Fridays, is receiving a very good response. Thank you for helping me spread the word. I think we all need to be reminded that the Lord will never abandon us, and when we are at our lowest, He is the closest to our hearts. If you have a story to share, please contact me at nan@nanjones.com.
This Friday, I’ll be featuring a testimony from a facebook friend, Guinn Nexson. For the past 3 years, Guinn has been fighting cancer of the tongue and mouth. What a journey she has had! But God has remained faithful to her through it all. Please join me again on Friday to read this amazing testimony of God’s grace.
Nan, this is simply beautiful! This psalm has been coming to my attention repeatedly in the last couple of weeks. Hmm…could God be trying to tell me something? 🙂
Blessings,
Kim
Hmmm … could be 🙂 He tends to do that to make sure we open our ears to hear. I’m so glad this ministered to you. Thanks for stopping by.
This. “Lord, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to Jesus — to drink of His Living Water, to bathe in His grace, to soak in His Peace. Jesus. My Prince of Peace.” yes and amen. Thank you sweetest friend.
You’re so welcome Marcie girl. The Lord is good, isn’t He?