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. (Ps. 71:3)
I have had a few moments when I feared for my life, but I have had many times when I feared for my stability. Has a job or relationship ever become unstable, or a false rumor about you found its way into your circle? While our physical lives may not be at stake in these moments, our spiritual lives can become fragile.
The temptation is to run to a physical person, but this psalm reminds us to cry out to our Creator: “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go” (v. 3) and “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long” (v. 8). Charles Spurgeon suggested that if our mouth is filled with praise, it cannot be full of negativity.
From the moment you were born, through the strongest years of youth and even when your strength begins to fail, continue to remember your Rock. Praise God in moments of instability and don’t forget he has always been your Rock. Do not give up on him and succumb to a frantic, uncontrolled version of yourself. He did not give up on you while you were learning to trust, obey, and seek his will in all things, and he will not give up on you when others have. As you walk forward through difficult moments, choose to let him be your ultimate stabilizer.
Remember the Rock of your youth.
Holly Atkinson is a Wesleyan pastor’s wife, mother of two girls, student at Wesley Seminary, and an assistant principal at a private school in Florida.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
