Verse of the Day 4/20
Psalm 61:1-2 O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
2 From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety, New Living Translation (NLT)
As you consider the state of our country today; in fact, as you consider the shape of the world; you will see millions of people who feel overwhelmed. They are overwhelmed by fears, uncertainty and loss of things that they hold dear and perhaps had previously been taken for granted. The NLT (above) uses that word overwhelmed and some of the "older"translations say when my heart is "faint". They mean the same thing but putting the two together may help us understand it better, overwhelmed to the point of fainting may paint the picture.
A modern term for being overwhelmed is "freaking out", out of control to the point of hysteria over something. When you feel overwhelmed day after day at increasing level it leads to being freaked out. Today's verses and in fact this song would encourage us to instead of freaking out to cry out to God for safety, hope and help. Freaking out leads to an emotional spiral. Crying out to God leads to being lifted up.
Think of all of the people in the Bible who "freaked" out. I can picture Peter as he was sinking after getting out of the boat to walk on the water. He saw the wind and waves and "freaked out", he cried out to Jesus who reached out and lifted him out of the fray and calmed the sea around him and the other disciples.
We may "freak out" for a moment, but the key is not to remain there, cry out to Jesus and He can lift you out of the situation and calm your fears.
Yesterday, I posted a link to the song "Hear My Cry" from Psalm 61 by Matthew Ward. Below are a few stanzas from the Third Day song "Cry Out to Jesus". Both offer the same solution to being "freaked out".
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus (Third Day)
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Psalm 61 English Standard Version (ESV)
Lead Me to the Rock
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
61 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.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under 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 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.
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