Psalms 31:1-3 I run to you, God; I run for dear life. Don’t let me down! Take me seriously this time! Get down on my level and listen. And please-no procrastination! Your granite cave a hiding place, your high cliff a place of safety. You’re my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide.  

Have you ever got some really bad news? I mean really bad. Do you remember how that hopeless feeling tried to swallow you whole? You start to feel all alone and isolated. Then you get mad because it’s just not fair! “What did I do to deserve this? Yes, I know I have not been perfect, but who has?” If you have ever been on that mountain before, you can relate to the above verse. This is a desperate cry for help. There is nowhere else to turn but up. If God doesn’t come through, it’s all over. This plea is familiar to God. It does not catch Him by surprise in the least. He’s a parent, for crying out loud! How many times have you heard a distress signal from your kids? What they might think is eminent doom, you see as a teachable moment.

I recall the time I was rock climbing with a group of boys in the mountains. We had about 20 boys with us and I was one of the counselors. Our guides were certified, but we were all pretty efficient in rock climbing safety. But for some reason, I foolishly decided to try climbing without a rope. (This is still shocking to think about!) I didn’t want to influence the kids to follow my lead, so I snuck around the side of the mountain about 30 yards. It was a 40 foot climb and everything was going great for the first 20 feet. All of a sudden, there were no more places to grab. The next big rock was flatter than a pancake. After about 15 minutes at a total stand still, I began to panic. I couldn’t hold on any longer, so I braced myself for the endless fall. It would soon be over.

Right then, a rope from above hit me on the nose and I heard a voice say, “Connect this to your harness.” It was one of the guides who heard a noise and thought he’d check it out. He saved my life. Yes, I made a very poor choice. My heart appealed to God as I prepared for the worst. And right before the darkest moment, light broke through! He saw me and He knew what to do. Right now, you may feel like you are hanging by a thread and you could let go at any moment. Your situation may not even be the result of a bad decision. But even though you can’t see Him with your physical eyes, God is right there. He knows just what you need. Trust Him and let Him be your safe place.

Lorenzo

Biblical Meditation: Psalms 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].