Lead Me to the Rock

"When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."— Psalms 61:2.

Yes, Lord! I would make this my morning, noon, and evening petition, that the great glorifier of Jesus would gently lead me to him who is a Rock, and whose work is perfect. I know, dearest Lord, in theory, and can even reason upon it in seasons of coolness, that thy strength and thy security never fail; the failure is in me and my unbelief. And it is only when I lose sight of thee and thy promise, that I am tossed about with doubts and misgivings. If Jesus be out of sight, and thwarting dispensations arise, Oh! how soon is my poor forgetful heart ready to exclaim with the church of old, "I said, my strength and my hope is perished from the Lord." Then come on the reasonings of flesh and blood. And then the question, whether my interest in Jesus and his salvation be sure? And then my poor heart goes forth, like the dove of Noah from the ark, having lost sight of Jesus, and can find no resting-place for the sole of my foot. Oh! Lord the Spirit, in all such seasons, do thou "lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." If thou, blessed leader of the Lord's distressed ones, wouldest be my pilot when those storms are beating upon me, I should soon be blown upon the firm landing-place of Jesus's security. Oh! how should I ride out the storm even when the tempest was highest, as long as God the Holy Ghost enabled me to cast the anchor of faith upon this eternal Rock of Jesus. Oh! lead me then, thou sovereign Lord, continually to my all-precious Jesus. Open the port of communication, and keep it constantly open, between Christ and my soul. Faith will find a soft and quiet bed to sleep on, in the arms of Jesus, and no noise of wars shall break the soul's rest while reposing on him; for so the promise runs: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Oh! then once again, I send up the earnest cry of my soul, let it be continually answered in mercy! "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

- Robert Hawker, The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions, January 6, Evening