Lead me to the rock that is higher than I

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today’s passage?

It’s easy to lose perspective in lockdown life, isn’t it? Tiny niggles and doubts can seem like the whole world when we can’t feel our connection with a busy workplace or a crowded high street. I find it’s also easy to forget some of the bigger things God wants to do with us and the world when we feel powerless to get a pint of milk without an epic queue.

These Psalms are not pleasant. They are born from pain, injustice, war and suffering. Little details like “Break the teeth in their mouths” and “May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along” grab my attention like grit in my shoe.

But what I love most about these Psalms is the way they frame God’s big picture view of us. They show God’s epic power to deal with the sources of problems with eternity in mind.

So while I’m concerned about the details of school life when some of our families can’t afford iPads, God is working to fix inequalities and injustices by equipping anyone who asks for strength and wisdom. While I’m gloomy about our misfortune of a broken light socket at home, the Psalmist remembers that “Power belongs to you, God.”

How can we gain God’s perspective and appreciate his plans? I’m struck by the inspired call: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” This does not keep the Psalmist safe in his place, but connects him with God’s “unfailing love”, the ability to love and a reward for doing so.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God has the power to shelter us but works to elevate us too. God knows the gritty pain of our everyday lives but gives us glimpses of eternity filled with love and faithfulness. God recognises the biggest forces at war in and around us and inspires us to join him, “for human help is worthless. With God we shall gain the victory.” He supplies power and love.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I’m conscious of how long it took me just now to think of examples of actual suffering in our lives at home. Little things can look big to me because we’re incredibly fortunate and blessed on the whole. I need to thank God more, not just for what we have but who he is.

We’re right, I think, to look at lots of details carefully when considering re-opening our local school. But I think there is more I can do to seek and share God’s big picture perspective on our situation. I’m also hoping that a number of believers in our community will be inspired to help with faith and practical love, and wondering how to help point to God directly here.

Who am I going to share this with?

I need to connect with some of the people at school I’ve prayed with but not seen recently.