The Overwhelming Signal

Life is overwhelming, and God uses this for our advantage.  When we are relaxing on the lounge or reading a book with a hot drink we are not conscious of our need to breathe because it occurs without thinking.  When we are being pulled underwater by a rip and our mouth fills with sea water, all our wandering thoughts and dreams instantly evaporate in frantic desperation for one quick gulp of oxygen to remain conscious.  The life we receive by faith in Christ is abundant and our eyes are open and our hearts attuned to far more than previously.  Selfishness is swallowed by selflessness, and our labours and concerns for others can spread ourselves thin.

David sang in Psalm 61:1-4:  "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. ² From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.³ For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. ⁴ I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah"  David went from being a shepherd watching over his father's flock to leading a rowdy group of men as he fled for his life from his murderous father in law, king Saul.  See how 1 Samuel 22:2 describes them:  "And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him."  David was cut off from fellowship with his best friend Jonathan, his family was moved to safety in a foreign land and David for about a decade had no place to call home.

When David was overwhelmed with his life and circumstances it was a signal that prompted him to seek the LORD, the Rock of Salvation Who is a place of safety, provision and rest.  God had been a shelter for David when he guarded the flock, when he faced Goliath the Philistine and when he received tragic news which prompted others to despair.  He learned to cast his cares upon the LORD who cared for Him and by faith chose to abide in God wherever his travels led.  God for a season took away any temptation to trust in walls of stone or gates of iron so his only hope and help was in God.

A day came when David was crowned king.  Do you think life became easier for him, less overwhelming?  Not a chance!  He was first king over Judah and later became king over all Israel.  He had all the tribes to manage, a great army to command, and enemies on all sides!  What he learned in the fields of Bethlehem he continued to practice in his palace at Jerusalem, choosing to voluntarily leave when his own son Absalom rose up against him.  David willingly left the stronghold of Zion and sought refuge in the almighty, living God who had always been a refuge and strong tower for him from all enemies.

Experience is a great teacher, and take it from David:  God will hear our cries and attend to our prayers.  Only He can lead us to Himself and give us the strength and desire to abide in Him, to seek Him and hold on when we are overwhelmed.  In Him is strong consolation and we find rest for our souls.  When we hear the words of Jesus and do them, we are like one who builds a house on the rock.  No matter how great the storm or desperate our need, God will help and deliver us.  He is our refuge by faith and the Holy Spirit dwells within us.  No matter where we go we remain in Christ, God is in us and keeps us by His grace.  Being overwhelmed ought to lead to renewed trust in the LORD.