Lead Me to the Rock

Hi Friends,

I am thankful that when we experience sorrow, hurt, misunderstanding or when we feel all alone, God is there.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. I did not understand this vision until the Lord revealed its meaning, which is normal.  Sometimes he will give me a scripture to understand, and other times he will give me a second vision that helps me to understand the first.  In all circumstances he wants us to look to him for direction and wisdom.  He is always faithful.

The Vision

The Rock

Just a few days ago, I had a vision of a very large structure.  I wasn’t sure what it actually was.  At first I saw it as a sculpted rock.  There were perhaps two to three layers, almost like an inverted stepped pyramid.  The top of the rock was perfectly flat, like a mesa.  But the sides were smooth and cut away, cupping under gently like a goblet.  The next layer began under the top layer and was cut away, curving under.  The layers of the sides were not continuous, but were interrupted vertically with layers that were either deeper or more shallow than the ones adjacent to them.  

Because it had a broad flat top surface, it reminded me of two things: an aircraft carrier and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  As I was standing at ground level looking up I saw a person above me standing on the top, near the edge of the structure.  I thought it was a woman, but I am not sure.  

This morning while I was praying, the Lord gave me this scripture, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”  It comes from Psalm 61, it is believed to be one of David’s Psalms.

This is the passage in its context:

Hear my cry, O God, listen 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 my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

 Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day. Psalm 61

I believe that the Lord wants us to understand that he is a mighty rock, a fortress and a strong tower.  He is the safe place where we can go when there is danger pressing around us.  When we feel threatened or vulnerable.  He is our shield.

The psalmist writes: “Let me dwell in your tent forever.”  This again is a shelter, a tabernacle, a place of meeting with the Lord, a place of safety, a refuge.  And he says:  “Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings.”  The Lord provides safety and comfort for us, just as a bird shelters its young under her wings.  He is our rock, our healer, our deliverer, our comforter, our provider. 

Jesus, proclaimed this longing to draw his chosen people near him:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  See, your house is left to you desolate.  For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”  Matthew 23:37-39

Because the Jews of Jesus’ day refused to acknowledge him as Lord, God and Savior, he prophesied the destruction of the Temple and of Jerusalem in AD 70.  The Lord wants to shelter us, and comfort us, but if we do not respond to his wooing, but are defiant, rebellious or just going our own way, we will suffer the consequences.   

The vision reminded me of an aircraft carrier, which is like a city in the water.  People live, work and defend their nation on this floating island.  God is so much greater.  So awesome in power.  There is none like him!  He is able to defend us from the wicked one, and shelter us through the storms of life. 

The vision also reminded me of the Temple Mount because it was a large raised platform, and central to the lives of the people of Jerusalem centuries ago.  It is probably the most valued piece of real estate in all the world.  

It is believed to be the location of the temple in the time of Christ.  It is where people would come to meet with God.  But before the temple was built, the place where God placed his Spirit was over the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle of David, in Jerusalem.  The Tabernacle of David was simply a tent that he consecrated and prepared for the Ark.  

The Lord has shown me through previous visions, that a tent represents the Lord’s desire to have a close relationship with us.  A tent provides a private place of meeting where we can speak to him alone, where we can draw close to him to hear what he would say to us.  He wants us to know him and abide in him.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, it is he that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”  John 15:5-7

When we draw close to him, and abide in him, we will have his blessing and his provision.  We will know his peace.  That is also why the Lord said that he was the Good Shepherd.  And that his plan for us is not burdensome:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23

This psalm shows that God’s peace, provision, and protection are for those who are his.  

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

The vision of this rock brings to mind two other visions.  Let me share them with you.

Higher Ground

This was not actually a vision, but a dream.  Yet, I believe it came from God.  In this dream, I saw that I was in my car with my daughter in New York city.  There was terrible flooding, wind and rain.  A traffic light dangled from a wire strung across the intersection of two main streets.  The strong wind was blowing everything around us.  The waves of the flood waters crashed into the base of the tall city buildings. The water was deep at the intersection where our car was stopped.  The water rose quickly and came up over the hood of the car.  I told my daughter, “We have to get out!”

Suddenly, we found ourselves on dry ground next to a six-foot wall of dirt and rock.  I wove my fingers together to give my daughter a foothold to boost her up.  A man standing above us, saw us and reached down and pulled her up.  Then he grabbed me by the forearm and pulled me up effortlessly.  I stood in front of him and looked directly at his face, and asked, “Where can we go to higher ground?”  He replied, “You are where you are supposed to be.”  

In the recent vision, there was a person standing near the edge of the sculpted rock wall.  I was looking at the scene from ground level, and knew that I needed to be up higher.  At that moment, the Lord gave me the scripture:  “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”  Psalm 61:2

When trials and tribulation come our way, we need to seek higher ground. The Lord provides the lift up.  He does not want us to get swept away with the crowd who is going the wrong way.  He wants us to know that when we seek him, we will find him.  It is he that provides the truth that brings light to our path.

“I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

The following is another dream that this vision caused me to remember:  

The Face of God

I was at ground level in a race to the top of a mountain.  People had already begun the race when I saw an elevator door open at the base of the mountain.  A man inside, beckoned me to come.  He took me half way up, and let me out to climb the rest of the way.  The ground was both dirt and rock and the incline was nearly vertical.

Suddenly, I knew that my backside was exposed.  But I did not let that stop me from climbing as fast as I could.  I reached the top of the hill before anyone else.  A young woman finished the climb next and began yelling at me. “How could you get here before me?”  And I shouted back to her, “You would have never made it, had I not been going as fast as I was!” 

Then, a third woman arrived.  She yelled at both of us.  Saying “Why are you arguing?  Don’t you see where we are standing?”

The view panned out to reveal a face carved into the top of the mountain.  I believe it was the face of God.  And, we were all competing to seek his face.  We did not have to compete, it wasn’t a formal race, but by climbing the mountain, we all made it.  Paul said to the Corinthians:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Lord has set before us a race that is marked out for us.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

I should address a few of the details in the vision:

I received an advantage by being offered an elevator ride to the halfway point.  I believe that God wants us all to seek his face.  He wants us all to find him, and he will send his ministering angels, and of course we have the indwelling Holy Spirit that leads us and guides us.  It is not really about who gets to the Lord first.  It is about drawing near to him in spite of obstacles and difficulties.  We are to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which easily ensnares us…!”  We are not to let anything come between ourselves and God.   I believe that the man in the elevator was simply a ministering angel that was sent to help me, with a boost up!

The other detail in the vision that was important was the fact that after being let out of the elevator, and having begun to climb, I noticed that my backside was exposed.  This of course represents shame.  There is no doubt that living life as a Christian, will bring shame to us on occasion.  We are not to be ashamed of God and the gospel, but we have to be willing to become a fool in the eyes of the world to bring glory to God.

“For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”  Luke 9:26

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”  1 Corinthians 3:18-19

“We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.”  1 Corinthians 4:10

We have to be willing to look foolish in others eyes, rather than succumbing to the fear of man and denying the Lord.  If he asks us to do something that will bring him honor, we cannot let our own pride and what others think of us, stop us from doing his will.  God is the Lord, we are to please him, and not ourselves or other people whose opinions matter to us.  God is first!

Jesus endured both pain and shame for us by allowing himself to be crucified and hung on a cross for our sins.  We are to follow his example and endure pain, suffering and shame for his name.

“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”  2 Timothy 2:11-13

In Summary

The rock in the vision, represents the faithfulness of the Lord. He is steadfast in his love for us.  His strength, his power and his provision are made available to us as we abide in him.  His is our rock, our fortress and our strong tower.  He wants a close relationship with us as a bridegroom is with his bride. He calls us his friends.

He is our Lord, our deliverer, our defender, our healer and our provider.  He shows us his faithfulness as being steady and immovable as a rock: 

“Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I!”  Psalm 61:2

Please share this message with your friends and those that will benefit.  God bless you, in all you do!  Thanks for reading and sharing!