Lead Me To The Rock

Funeral Sermon: Lead Me to the Rock

Psalm 61:1-4

My beloved family, friends, and community,

We find ourselves once again gathered in this sacred space today with heavy hearts, united in our grief over the tragic loss of a bright young man, whose life was taken from us too soon. As we come together to honor his memory, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the depth of our love for him. But even in the midst of our sorrow, we find solace in the words of Psalm 61, a psalm of desperation and hope, where the psalmist cries out to God for refuge.

Isaac’s life was taken too soon, snatched by the senseless violence that has claimed far too many of our sons, brothers, and friends. The weight of this moment is overwhelming. And when life overwhelms us, when our hearts are broken beyond what we can bear, we have a choice—either we let our pain destroy us, or we let it lead us to something greater.

David, the writer of this Psalm, knew what it meant to feel overwhelmed. He knew the pain of loss, the weight of injustice, and the sting of betrayal. And in his darkest hour, he cried out to God, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Losing Isaac in this way is unfair.

It’s senseless. It’s wrong.

Some of you are angry.

Some of you feel like giving up.

Some of you are looking for ways to numb the pain—with alcohol, with drugs, with retaliation.

I understand why. When life crushes us, we look for something—anything—to make the pain stop. But my brothers and sisters, let me tell you this: destruction will not heal your broken heart.

When the storm of grief comes, we often reach for things that seem strong but cannot hold us.

Alcohol won’t hold you—it numbs you for a moment, but the pain comes back stronger.

Drugs won’t hold you—they may distract you, but they won’t heal you.

Retaliation won’t hold you—violence only creates more funerals, more broken mothers, more tears in the streets.

These are false rocks. They crumble under the weight of your pain. But David said, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

So, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the real preacher Jesus Christ I would like leave us with somethings within this particular Psalm that will lead us to the rock of comfort and peace, the first is this.

Hear My Cry, O God

The psalmist begins with a heartfelt plea: “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.” In this moment of mourning, we, too, cry out. We cry out for understanding, for comfort, and for peace. We cry out in pain, seeking to make sense of a world that feels so unjust, so unfair. Our young brother’s life was filled with potential, dreams, and aspirations, but now we struggle to comprehend how he could be taken from us.

But let us be reminded that our cries do not fall on deaf ears. God is attentive to our suffering. He hears our anguish, and He meets us in our pain. When we feel lost and overwhelmed, we must remember that we are not alone. The God who created us is present, listening, and ready to lead us to a place of refuge.

(Psalm 34:17) “When the righteous cry [for help] the Lord hears and rescues them from all their distress and troubles.”

(Jonah 2:2) “I called out of my trouble and distress to the Lord, and He answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried for help, and You heard my voice.”

(Revelation 21:4) “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.”

Lead Me to the Rock

The psalmist continues, “From the ends of the earth I call to you… lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” In our grief, we can feel as though we are at the ends of the earth, Isolated and alone. But there is a rock—a solid foundation—where we can find strength. This rock is Jesus Christ, our refuge and strength.

When the storms of life rage against us, we must cling to the One who is unshakeable. Jesus invites us to come to Him, to lay our burdens at His feet, and to find comfort in His presence. He is the rock that is higher than our circumstances, higher than our pain, and higher than our loss.

In moments like these, we must ask ourselves: where do we seek refuge? Are we looking for solace in the fleeting things of this world, or do we turn our hearts toward the eternal? The rock we stand upon is not just a symbol; it is the promise of God’s unwavering love and grace.

(Psalm 18:2) “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold.”

(1 Peter 5:7) “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”

(Isaiah 26:3) “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].”

A Strong Tower Against the Foe

The psalmist declares, “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” In times of trouble, we need a stronghold—a place where we can find security and protection. Our young friend may have faced many battles in his life, and it is crucial that we recognize the struggles he encountered.

But even in his struggles, he was never alone. God was with him, guiding him, and providing strength amidst the challenges. And today, we are called to remember that he is now sheltered in the arms of the Almighty, free from pain, strife, and suffering.

As we reflect on his life, let us celebrate the moments of joy, laughter, and love. Let us hold on to the memories that bring a smile to our faces, and let those memories be a source of comfort as we navigate this valley of grief.

(Proverbs 18:10) “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].”

(Psalm 46:1) “God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.”

(Isaiah 41:10) “Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].”

Longing for Refuge

Finally, the psalmist expresses a longing: “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” This longing is a beautiful reminder of our desire for connection, for safety, and for love. It is a longing that our young friend now experiences in its fullness in the presence of God.

Though we grieve his absence, let us not forget the love that binds us together. Let us take refuge in one another, supporting and uplifting each other as we walk this difficult path. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, offering comfort and compassion to one another in our time of need.

(Psalms 9:9) “The Lord also will be a refuge and a stronghold for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble”

(Psalm 91:1-2) “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and fortress, My God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!’”

(Isaiah 25:4) “For You have been a stronghold for the helpless, A stronghold for the poor in his distress, A shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat.”

The Rock That Will Hold You is JESUS!!

That Rock is Jesus. That Rock is the One who was also murdered unjustly, who also suffered violence, who also cried out in pain. And yet, He conquered death, He conquered sin, and He offers hope even in the darkest moments.

When you don’t know where to turn, turn to Jesus.

When your heart is overwhelmed, run to the Rock.

When the streets call for vengeance, let the Rock be your refuge.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

The Bible says Ps.34:18, “The Lord is near to the heartbroken And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin).”

The Bible says Ps. 147:3, “He heals the broken hearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].”

The Bible says John 14:1, “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.”

As we conclude, let us commit ourselves to lead each other to the rock that is higher than us. Let us be each other’s refuge and strength. And let us hold tightly to the promise of eternal life, knowing that our dear friend is at peace, sheltered in the arms of God.

May the love of Christ surround you, may the peace of God fill your hearts, and may we find strength in one another as we continue this journey together. Amen.