A Road Map for Life | Remembering Our Redeemer Sample

WILL THIS EVER GET EASIER? (Psalm 61)

I used to think, at some point in my Christian experience, I would get to where I could relax. I wouldn’t have to fight and struggle. I believed I would grow to the point of smooth sailing in the Christian life.

That day never came, and it never will.

Most of us think from time to time that it will get easier, but as you enter the later seasons of life, the battle seems to intensify. If you have done that, rest assured that you are not alone.

The Bible says in I Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

That brings us to Psalm 61. It is relatively short, only eight verses. Spurgeon called it “a pearl of the Psalms” because it is so beautiful. But it is profound that it seems to have been written after David became king. He was not being hunted or running for his life, dealing with betrayal. He sat on the throne, wearing the crown and holding the scepter. Yet the words of this psalm sound like they were written by a man who was struggling.

Verses 1-8: “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.”

This does not sound like a king who has it all together. We all want to think there is a time when we will have “arrived,” and there will be little more to worry about. But with more blessings come more battles. As you enjoy God’s goodness, the enemy is constantly attacking.

Some people believe Psalm 61 was written when Absalom betrayed the king because of the reference to “the end of the earth,” which suggested his desire to be back in the presence of God. May I say to you that if David’s battles did not go away, neither will yours. Don’t be shocked or surprised when temptations and trials come, because such is the nature of life.

So what is the answer? Often, in these psalms, a key is found near the door; in this case, it is the back door. At the end of the passage, we see the words that unlock the entire chapter.

Read the last phrase of Psalm 61: “… that I may daily perform my vows.”

The Christian life is a daily experience. It has to be lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived every single day. That means there are daily battles, daily burdens, and daily struggles. There are things God calls on His children to do every day. We must all accept that fact.

In Psalm 61, we frequently read “forever” — in verses 4, 7, and 8. We want to be in the Lord’s presence and have His protection forever. But the secret to “for ever” is “daily.”

Many things in life will change. Think of how often the settings changed for David. His cry from “the end of the earth” reminds me of the words of Christ in Matthew 28:20. “And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” When you get to the end of yourself, He is always there.

David also referred in verse 2 to “when my heart is overwhelmed.” We have all been there, haven’t we? But he concluded that thought with these words: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” When the flood waters rise and you think you are going to drown, there is a rock, a high place of shelter and protection in the Lord.

We read in verse 4 of the safety that is found under His wings. So many times in the Old Testament, this image portrays faith. We hide in Him, trusting in the covering of His wings and believing that He is enough.

Wherever you are today and whatever you are dealing with, God will give you grace and strength. The secret to forever being able to stay in His presence and praise Him is to do it today. The secret to the forever Christian life is the daily Christian life.

Verse 4: “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.” Abiding forever requires daily trust.

Verse 7: “He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.” Abiding forever requires daily seeking of His mercy and truth.

Verse 8: “So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” Praising Him forever means that you must pursue daily obedience.

If you just sit around and wait for things to get better, hoping tomorrow will be better than today, you will be a very disillusioned person. You need to draw a line in the sand and say, “By the grace of God, today will be a day of new beginnings.” This day is the first day of the rest of your Christian life.

Determine for yourself that you will start today to trust, seek His mercy and truth, and obey Him every day. Everything in your life may change, but God never changes. The only thing you and I must do every day is stay close to Him.

Wherever you are, God is there. He is listening to your prayer, and you can trust Him today.