The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe (Prov. 18:10). This is a lesson that Solomon learned from his father, David. Many of the Psalms are prayers to the Lord.
“Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy” (Psa. 61:1-3). This is a Psalm of prayer. Many times, David had been in a situation to cry out to God for help—in times of war, in times of personal sin, in times of family issues. Over and over he faced many challenges. During those challenges, he always cried out to the Lord. From that he learned to trust in Him. We see his confidence in his prayer. “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Similarly, in Hebrews, “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (10:34).
It is faith that produces this confident hope. “Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name” (Psa. 61:4-5). This is similar to “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3). We trust the One that is the Good Shepherd. “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:14-15).
David understood the promises of God. “You will prolong the king’s life; His years will be as many generations. He will abide before God forever; Appoint lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him. So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may pay my vows day by day” (Psa. 61:6-8).
There are some lessons that we can draw from this today. God knows our dilemmas and cares (1 Pet. 5:7). We are to trust God and “know in whom we have believed” (2 Tim. 1:12}. We are to pray earnestly without losing heart (Luke 18:1). We can remember the mercies of God—His longsuffering and patience with us. That can motivate us to keep our vows just as Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). We can still say with confidence and trust, “lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psa. 61:2).