God's Rest

Finding Rest for Your Soul ~ Psalm 62

9:00 AM

Today's Scripture: Psalm 62 & John 10:30 


We often talk about needing to rest, recharging our battery, unwind, get some R&R, or the need for some downtime. There are many ways to describe resting, but I had to wonder if this is truly what David was describing in this psalm when he wrote,

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

If we read on we discover David is being tormented by others,

How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? (v.3)

And I had to wonder what does our enemy use to torment us these days in an attempt to unsettle our hearts? Perhaps,

  • The rise in crime.
  • Inflation
  • Rumors of wars 
  • Pandemics
  • Social issues
There are plenty of weapons he can use, and we only need to turn on the TV or social media to become bombarded by them all. It's wonderful to get away, to turn off social media, but that is often only a temporary solution. Therefore, I had to wonder if David has a better plan for us here in this psalm. 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.


Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:5-8)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (V.5) 

I wonder, what have you placed your hope in?
  • Your savings?
  • Husband or others?
  • Job?
  • Elected Officials?
I've placed my faith, hope and found comfort in all of these at one time or another in spite of knowing that only God is proven faithful at all times. And each time I’ve been disappointed I had to wonder why my faith rested there instead of with God alone, for no matter how wonderful others are, they are bound to let us down at some point. 

Trust in him at all times, O people. (V.8)

I believe David offers us the key reason His soul could rest despite being tormented by others in verse 8. David placed his trust in God alone. I’ve discovered over the years that when I am wholly looking to and trusting in God, I am now free to minister to others rather than looking and longing for others to minister to me. He meets every need! It is though I am girded up; my armor is on and together the Lord and I can meet the needs of others. 

It’s a wonderful position to be in! I instantly morph from being needy to looking to meet the needs of others and the only thing that change was where I placed my trust! 

 I looked up cross-references to the phase, "trust in Him" and wanted to share a few in hopes these truths will build your faith as it did mine:

  • 1 Chronicles 5:20, They cried out to (God) during battle. He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.
  • Psalm 28:7, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.
  • Psalm 37:5, Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.
  • Psalm 40:3, He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.
  • Isaiah 25:9, This is the Lord; we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad.
  • Naham 1:7, The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. 
  • Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • 1 Peter 2:6, The one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.


Let's pray:

Holy Father, our hearts are often heavy with the darkness we see in this world. There is many things our enemy can torment and disquiet our heart with. And we confess that it is not always our first instinct to turn towards you during such times Father. When our hearts are heavy remind us that you are there, always there, to gently nudge us back to your path. O God, may we too say as David did long ago, "my heart rests in God alone." Thank you for the many ways that you provide us. Please continue to comfort and strengthen us and help us to continue to glorify You! May we team up to win this world back to you! In your Holy name we pray, Amen.

Blessings , 

Sue




Becky Austin

God’s Merciful Rest (Hebrews 4)

2:38 AM



Hebrews 4

Since Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, life has been full of struggles and toil. Life requires that we carry many burdens, face many challenges and it certainly will weary our sin laden souls. But, God did not leave us to this fate. In His mercy, he extended us grace and offered us rest for our weary souls. He offered us an eternal hope for a life reunited with Him and full of amazing promise and hope. 

I remember vividly looking at a witnessing tract when I was a child called “One Way”. It had few words, mostly pictures. It started with a mass of people moving forward, stained with sin, headed to hell. But, there were signs pointing to a side corridor that said "God’s free gift” and “Love Gift Inside”. Three young people entered and saw the story of the gospel depicted on the walls. One of the young people, rejected the love offered in that story and left to rejoin the mass of people without God. Two of the young people, however accepted the gift with sincerity of heart. They went up a flight of stairs and were greeted by God the Father, Jesus and HolySpirit. They ran into their outstretched arms. It was such a joyous celebratory moment and it always comforted me. Of course, I felt sorry for the young boy who had walked away.  

Hebrews 4 reminds me of that simple story. God offers to the tired, weary, burdened society His free gift of love through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. He wants us to believe and accept His salvation. He wants to give us rest. But, sadly, many choose to reject what He so lovingly offers and must be judged accordingly.  
For those of us, however, who recognize our need for Christ, we are gifted with a very personable, unique, intimate relationship with Jesus. He knows each person He breathes life into and the same gift of salvation is always freely offered.  He knows every sinful thing about us, and yet He offers us comfort, deliverance from sin, and most importantly, He offers us rest. What incredible Grace and Mercy! He is always knowledgeable of what is going on in our lives and yet He is empathetic and willing to intercede on our behalf.  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (v15)  Because of who He is and what He has done, we can know Him intimately and be encouraged to seek Him without fear of rejection.  
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (v16) 
  
"Thou lovest me, in spite of all my failure, 
Thou knowest all my weakness and my sin; 
But Thou did'st die on Calv'ry to redeem me, 
To cleanse and make me white as snow within. 
Thine is a love, unsearchable, eternal, 
And many waters cannot quench Thy love; 
Such love as Thou dost bear the guilty sinner, 
Caused Thee to leave Thy glorious throne above. 
Thou lovest me, a wretched, failing creature, 
Unworthy, but Thy worthiness I claim; 
Thy robe of righteousness is my salvation, 
I pin my faith on Thy most precious Name. 
Thou lovest me before the world's foundation, 
"Chosen in Him" before the moon and sun, 
Eternal love has marked out all my pathway, 
And will direct 'till life on earth is done. 
Thou lovest me, and Thou art interceding, 
And ever working all things for my good, 
O help me Lord, to rest upon Thy promise, 
Rejoicing in Thy ways, not understood. 
Thou lovest me, Ah! marvel of all ages, 
Such wondrous love! we'll never understand; 
But we can thankfully with joy receive it, 
Enjoying blessings from Thy blessed hand. 
O may we rest upon Thy love more fully! 
And trust Thee for the needs of every day, 
Assured Thy goodness, and Thy lovingkindness, 
With mercies will surround my path alway. 
  —Lois Beckwit