Driven to the Rock: Finding Refuge in God's Character
"Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you." - Psalm 25:19-21
Charles Spurgeon once said, "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." This great preacher of the past was no stranger to heavy and hard things in his life. He faced a lifelong battle with depression, physical ailments that left him in constant pain, and the relentless attacks of the adversary against his church. He knew well those moments when we are driven to God, feeling completely helpless amidst the roaring current of life.
King David knew these moments as well. He faced spears from Saul, betrayal from his own son, and the crushing weight of his own adultery and murder. Yet, David also knew the tender experience of God's redeeming love washing over his soul. With the emotion of a man driven to God by his circumstances, David authored Psalm 25. He gives voice to our deepest prayers when our troubles cast us upon the Lord.
1. We Are Driven to God in Moments We Feel Shame
Verses 8 through 10 function like the hub of a wheel upon which the rest of this Psalm revolves. David declares that God is good, upright, and trustworthy. Because this is His very nature, God instructs, leads, and teaches humble sinners. This leads us to our first specific moment. We are driven to God in moments we feel shame. Shame is a powerful, crushing force. It is the deep feeling of condemnation and disgrace we experience because of our failures. Guilt is the objective reality of doing wrong, but shame is the suffocating weight that makes us feel unworthy to belong. David felt this deeply, and it drove him to the Lord in whom he found refuge. Jesus invites the ashamed to come to Him. Hebrews 13 tells us that Jesus suffered outside the city gates to sanctify the people. Those who were disgraced had to stay outside the camp, but Jesus went outside the camp for you. He was shamed so you would not have to be.
2. We Are Driven to God in Moments We Feel Stuck
Throughout Psalm 25, David repeatedly uses the words "wait" and "way." David felt completely stuck, waiting on God to show him the path forward. He pleads with God to show him the way. Author Mark Vroegrop notes that waiting on God is living on what I know to be true about God when I do not know what is true about my life. Waiting is simply expecting God to do what only He can do while remaining faithful to do what He has told us to do. David anchors himself in the goodness of God while he waits in the dark.
3. We Are Driven to God in Our Moments of Sin
As David turns to God, he begs the Lord to remember His ancient mercy and love. At the same time, he begs God to forget the sins of his youth. Praise God that we are not forever defined by our past transgressions. David asks God to pardon his great guilt. He feels afflicted, lonely, and caught in a net of his own making. Yet, he does not run from God. He runs to God. He does not fear condemnation because he knows God as his friend and deliverer.
4. We Are Ultimately Driven to God by His Steadfast Love
Laced throughout this Psalm, like sugar baked into a cake, is the sweetness of God's steadfast love. Amidst the bitter and bland ingredients of a fallen world, it is God's love that continually draws us back. His love is unwavering, unconditional, and enduring. It is not based on what we do or fail to do. It is based entirely on who He is. God sent Christ in love. Christ died in our place for love. The Holy Spirit surrounds us in love, securing our souls and swelling our hearts with hope.
Whatever circumstance you face this week, let it drive you into the arms of a loving God. Take God at His Word. When the current of life is too strong, stop trying to swim on your own strength. Let the waves throw you against the Rock of Ages, where you will always find perfect love and absolute safety.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are good, upright, and entirely trustworthy. We confess that we often try to navigate the roaring currents of life on our own strength. When we feel crushed by shame, paralyzed by feeling stuck, or burdened by our sin, please drive us straight into Your welcoming arms. Thank You for the steadfast love You have shown us through Jesus Christ. Teach us Your ways, lead us in Your truth, and help us to anchor our souls to the Rock of Ages. We ask this in the beautiful name of Jesus. Amen.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." This great preacher of the past was no stranger to heavy and hard things in his life. He faced a lifelong battle with depression, physical ailments that left him in constant pain, and the relentless attacks of the adversary against his church. He knew well those moments when we are driven to God, feeling completely helpless amidst the roaring current of life.
King David knew these moments as well. He faced spears from Saul, betrayal from his own son, and the crushing weight of his own adultery and murder. Yet, David also knew the tender experience of God's redeeming love washing over his soul. With the emotion of a man driven to God by his circumstances, David authored Psalm 25. He gives voice to our deepest prayers when our troubles cast us upon the Lord.
1. We Are Driven to God in Moments We Feel Shame
Verses 8 through 10 function like the hub of a wheel upon which the rest of this Psalm revolves. David declares that God is good, upright, and trustworthy. Because this is His very nature, God instructs, leads, and teaches humble sinners. This leads us to our first specific moment. We are driven to God in moments we feel shame. Shame is a powerful, crushing force. It is the deep feeling of condemnation and disgrace we experience because of our failures. Guilt is the objective reality of doing wrong, but shame is the suffocating weight that makes us feel unworthy to belong. David felt this deeply, and it drove him to the Lord in whom he found refuge. Jesus invites the ashamed to come to Him. Hebrews 13 tells us that Jesus suffered outside the city gates to sanctify the people. Those who were disgraced had to stay outside the camp, but Jesus went outside the camp for you. He was shamed so you would not have to be.
2. We Are Driven to God in Moments We Feel Stuck
Throughout Psalm 25, David repeatedly uses the words "wait" and "way." David felt completely stuck, waiting on God to show him the path forward. He pleads with God to show him the way. Author Mark Vroegrop notes that waiting on God is living on what I know to be true about God when I do not know what is true about my life. Waiting is simply expecting God to do what only He can do while remaining faithful to do what He has told us to do. David anchors himself in the goodness of God while he waits in the dark.
3. We Are Driven to God in Our Moments of Sin
As David turns to God, he begs the Lord to remember His ancient mercy and love. At the same time, he begs God to forget the sins of his youth. Praise God that we are not forever defined by our past transgressions. David asks God to pardon his great guilt. He feels afflicted, lonely, and caught in a net of his own making. Yet, he does not run from God. He runs to God. He does not fear condemnation because he knows God as his friend and deliverer.
4. We Are Ultimately Driven to God by His Steadfast Love
Laced throughout this Psalm, like sugar baked into a cake, is the sweetness of God's steadfast love. Amidst the bitter and bland ingredients of a fallen world, it is God's love that continually draws us back. His love is unwavering, unconditional, and enduring. It is not based on what we do or fail to do. It is based entirely on who He is. God sent Christ in love. Christ died in our place for love. The Holy Spirit surrounds us in love, securing our souls and swelling our hearts with hope.
Whatever circumstance you face this week, let it drive you into the arms of a loving God. Take God at His Word. When the current of life is too strong, stop trying to swim on your own strength. Let the waves throw you against the Rock of Ages, where you will always find perfect love and absolute safety.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are good, upright, and entirely trustworthy. We confess that we often try to navigate the roaring currents of life on our own strength. When we feel crushed by shame, paralyzed by feeling stuck, or burdened by our sin, please drive us straight into Your welcoming arms. Thank You for the steadfast love You have shown us through Jesus Christ. Teach us Your ways, lead us in Your truth, and help us to anchor our souls to the Rock of Ages. We ask this in the beautiful name of Jesus. Amen.
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