The Right Vantage Point

Have you ever needed to see something far away but it was difficult from where you were to see it? One way to get a better view is to find a nearby rock or hill and climb on that so you can see better. A higher vantage point gives you a better view. In the last several psalms David has been writing about dealing with enemies and those out to get him. Most of the time his “vantage point” on this has been good. When his view is good it is because he has a right view of God. Here is what he writes in the beginning of Psalm 61: 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. It’s interesting to think about what the “rock” is that David is referring to. I suppose that the “rock” is an expression for God, probably in reference to protection or shelter. The idea of God being a shelter is mentioned in verse 3. But I also think that the “rock” could be an expression for a “place” that God can take David so he can better see what is going on; giving him a better perspective. When our heart is “overwhelmed”, it can be important to get the right perspective, the right vantage point, so we know what to do. Whatever David has in mind here, I hope that you too will ask God to lead you to the “rock that is higher than I”. From that vantage point we can see what we need to see and we have the right perspective.