From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
³ For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe^[1]

Read Psalm 46 and 61

There is an epic battle in J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings series at Helm’s Deep. The forces of Rohan find refuge and fight the evil forces of Saruman. King Théoden once said, “the Hornburg has never fallen to assault.” If you’ve either read the book or watched Peter Jackson’s incredible film adaptation of the books, you know that the Sauraman’s forces nearly prevail. But the fortress in the rock provided the protection that Rohan needed to claim victory.

Look through pictures and illustrations of castles and fortresses and you will find that they often claim the high ground. This make it easier to see and enemy approaching and to have the best offensive and defensive position. These strong towers provided safety for the men and women in the kingdom.

The psalmist cries out to God to “lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” The psalmist longed for God’s protection and provision. God is our “strong tower” against the foes that we face. In Psalm 46, the writers proclaims that God is “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of need.”  By the time we get to the gospels, we see Jesus telling Peter that he [Jesus] is the rock that the church will be built upon (Matthew 16:18).

Do you need to seek “the rock that is higher than I?” Throughout our lives we will be under assault from principalities and powers. We will need to find refuge. God is our refuge and strength. God is our help. God is our strong tower against our foes. As God to lead you to the rock, the fortress, and to give you refuge from every assault of the enemy.

God,
You are our strong tower.
You are our refuge and strength.
Help us in times of trouble.
Protect us from the powers that comes against us. Amen.

^[1] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ps 61:2–3.