You can hear the desperation in David’s words: “Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. 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” (Ps. 61:1-3, NKJV).

Many of us, like David, have experienced seasons of feeling overwhelmed: the simplest tasks are a chore, and we have difficulty focusing on anything but our own anguish. We wake up terrified of everything and nothing. We long for escape but have nowhere to hide.

The Amplified Bible renders verse 2b as “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [yes, a rock that is too high for me].” Why would David, who felt utterly consumed, long for a rock too high for him?

Because that Rock is God, who is far greater than anything that tries to annihilate His children. He’ll overwhelm that which overwhelms us. He’s a deluge when we’re being consumed by fire — but He’s a blazing fire when we’re drowning.

Will He “make it all go away”? Not necessarily. But we’re “able to do all things through Him who strengthens [us]” (Phil. 4:13).

Today, if you feel overwhelmed by a crisis or simply the stresses of life, commit this verse to memory: “The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies” (Isa. 42:13, NLT).