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




fortress

Seeking Higher Ground -Psalm 61

11:00 AM

 Psalm 61, Proverbs 20:28

When storms rage and the flood waters rise, the wisest advice is always to seek higher ground. Because the higher we climb, the more distance we put between us and the howling winds, the safer we become. And there’s no safer place to be than sheltered in the tent of the Lord.


As a military man, David knew well the advantages of building a fortress high atop a mountain. From making the tower practically impenetrable by an enemy, to providing a high altitude for archers to shoot farther, strongholds built on a rocky hill provided the best defense. So when David was at his lowest, feeling alone, overwhelmed, and drowning in the rising waters, he knew the best thing to do was seek higher ground.


For David that higher ground was the refuge of God. The Lord was his "higher Rock,” his unshakable foundation that had never failed. And during times when we feel overwhelmed, we have the same privilege of sheltering in the refuge of God. Because when we trust in Him, no matter the strength or size of the storm, God goes before us making our paths straight. For as Deuteronomy 33:26 reminds us, “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in His majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms."


With everything happening in the world today, it’s easy for our hearts to become overwhelmed. And although we have no control over what happens around us, we can control how we react. We can either cower and hide, living a life of worry and fear. Or we can trust in God who promises that those who put their faith in Him and not the world, can dwell forever in His fortress of peace and joy. 


King David was protected by a mighty army. But even he knew better then to place his security in chariots and soldiers. Only God could lead him to triumph over any and all foes. For the Lord was David’s "tower of strength against the enemy." (v.3) And He’s ours as well. So when we, like David, feel overwhelmed and as if we are drowning, all we need do is seek high shelter. Because from His mighty fortress, God promises to not just merely keep our heads above water, but allow us to sail through the storm with hearts of thankfulness and lips that sing His praises. 


Pause and Reflect -

Do you find yourself increasingly tired, frustrated, and burdened? Have you laid the great weight of that burden at God’s feet and  rested in His tent of peace? 


During a storm of life has God come through for you? Answered prayer? Shown his power and kindness? And, if so, do you use those instances to fuel your faith in trusting God as your unshakable fortress? 


Finally let’s pray together, 

Our dearest Father in heaven above, hallowed be Thy name. Father we know that during times of trials, You hear the cries of Your children’s hearts. So no matter where we are, even when we are far from home, we will cry out to you for help. For when we are feeble and overwhelmed by life, Father we trust in You to guide us into your glory where we are safe and sheltered. Lord, you are a paradise of protection to all who love You. From Your mighty fortress You lift us high above the fray. And we thank You that no foe can touch us when we dwell in the tent of Your presence. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen 


Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!


I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.

💖Lisa

Journey

Scripture Saturday ~ "Becoming A Woman After God's Own Heart - A Journey Through The Psalms"

12:00 AM

 



Good morning and welcome to Scripture Saturday!

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. (Psalm 59:16)

Knowing that God is my refuge, my protector against difficult circumstances or situations or people, shows me that it is in Him that I will find wisdom, strength, peace and love and that He will see me through because “through Him all things are possible.”


We may have met difficult circumstances and situations or maybe have faced difficult people. We may be worrying about our finances, our health, or with family matters. And with worry comes fear. Experience tells me that if I try to “fix it myself” my strength will be zapped and discouragement will set in. I only have to go to my Father, as David states in verse 16, and rely on Him as my strength, the only One who can truly “fix it.” He is our refuge during these times when we focus on Who He is, His promises, and on the love He has for us. And as we focus on Him, He will place a song in our heart because our perspective regarding our difficult circumstance, situation, or stress has changed. He has turned us from worry and defeat to peace and victory!


Thank you, my Father, for the words in the book of Psalms. So often they comfort my soul in difficult times and give me strength in my heart when I am worrying about circumstances.  Help me not to focus on the problems that are happening all around me, and the doubts that can enter my mind and cause me to be afraid. Help me, my Lord, to remember Your promises, Your character, and to cast all my fears and my burdens upon You. Because of Your steadfast love, I will praise Your Name every morning, every evening, all the time!


Don't forget to share with us the attribute of God that most spoke to you this week!


Here is this coming week’s schedule of readings…



            Seeing Jesus/Going beyond God’s attributes


Monday 11/21 Psalm 61     Proverbs 20:28

Tuesday 11/22 Psalm 62     John 10:30

Wednesday 11/23 Psalm 63     Proverbs 20:28 &

        John 10:30 again

Thursday 11/24 Psalm 64     Luke 9:35

Friday 11/25 Psalm 65     Hebrews 10:19-22



*Knowing that God is _____________ shows me that _________________________________.


Here is the link to our study on Facebook...WitW Facebook Page


Have a blessed week everyone!


Sandra


*from Jen Wilkin’s book,  Women of the Word.