We live in an unsafe world. My wife and I live in a city apartment. We love our home and the convenience of being at the centre of a vibrant city. But it comes with a cost. In the past six years, we've experienced at least eight break-ins or attempted break-ins. Every day many of us live with physical insecurity. Some of us also face spiritual and emotional insecurity. We may feel under threat from danger, turmoil, or opposition. In such moments, we long for someone who can protect us.

In Psalm 61, David shares his insecurity. He's under threat and doesn't feel safe. Unlike some of the previous psalms, David doesn't explain his particular circumstances. Instead, he speaks generally about a threat that has caused his heart to grow faint (Psalm 61:2). His pain is intense and his prayer is a desperate cry (v. 1).

David needs a place of safety. He uses four colourful images to describe God, the only one in whom he can find safety. First, God is ″the rock that is higher than I″ (v. 2). God is strong, stable, and reliable, far more than any human being. Second, God is ″a strong tower″ (v. 3), a place of strength and refuge. Third, David longs to ″dwell in [God's] tent for ever″ (v. 4). The tent, or tabernacle, was symbolically God's dwelling place. Just like a weary traveller finds rest, refreshment, and protection in someone's tent, so David longs to know the security of being in God's presence. Finally, he wants ″to take refuge in the shelter of your wings″ (v. 4). This common biblical metaphor (see Psalm 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; 91:4) is a picture of helpless chicks being protected by their mother.

David is confident that God has heard his prayer because He has given to him the promised land (Psalm 61:5). This affirms that God has reserved a wonderful inheritance, which is their salvation, for those who fear Him. David knew his salvation wouldn't be taken away from him.

David's final request is for himself as king. He desires, through his descendants, to reign forever and always be in God's presence (vv. 6-7). Historically, David's earthly kingdom wouldn't last. These words only find their fulfilment in Jesus. The book of Hebrews tells us that, like David, Jesus ″offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death″ (Hebrews 5:7). And it is King Jesus who rules forever, ″being enthroned in God's presence″ (Psalm 61:7).

Who do you turn to when you feel insecure? Like you, Jesus knew tears. But He also knew the rescue of God. Jesus now rules over all powers, watching over His people. There is no rock higher, mightier, and more reliable than Him. Turn to Him.