My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Find rest, O My Soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my fortress, I will not be shaken.

~ Psalm 62:1-2 & 5-6 ~

What does it mean for our souls to find rest in God? Why would we depend on Him for salvation, for a fortress, for hope? Our soul finds rest in God because He is the only one on whom we can truly depend. This world is faulty and fleeting. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says, “Meaningless, meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” (Ecc. 12:8) It is in God that we find true joy, contentment, hope, and peace.

But this world is not peaceful. This world is full of hate, and fear, and jealousy, and anguish, and discontent. We rely on many things in this world that let us down: family, friends, money, jobs, homes, and skills. Each of these things becomes something we turn to when times get tough. And each time, those things fail us. Why then do we turn to them when we know that our souls only find rest in God? Why do we turn to other things instead of to our Creator, our Savior, our Healer, our Father?

Psalm 77 begins with the psalmist crying out to God for help, searching in the past for evidence of Him, begging for comfort, confronting God. He asks if the Lord has abandoned him, if His love has ceased from being eternal, if He no longer has mercy to give (Psa. 77:1-9). Sometimes, it appears as though God has abandoned us. Even though we were told that in this world we would have trouble, we forget Him who overcame it (Jhn. 16:31). We feel alone, hopeless, and far from our Savior. During these times, it is easy to fall into despair. But has God truly abandoned us in our times of need?

Then I thoughts, ” To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

~ Psalm 77:10-14 ~

God has always been with us and will always be with us. Sometimes it is difficult to see God’s hand in the immediate situation. Sometimes, it is only in hindsight that we can see God working in our lives, in history. But He has promised to always be with us. He is our Savior, our Rock, our Redeemer, our Strong Tower, our ever-present help in times of need (Psa. 46). Sometimes, we simply need to wait and call on Him, and He will listen. I do not always know how God is currently working in my life, but I know He has pulled me out of mire before and has kept my feet on level ground (Psa. 18:28-36). I know I can rely on Him, and He forgives me when I doubt.

He is our escape from death, He is our salvation and righteousness  (Psa. 68:20, Gal. 3 :13-14, 1 Jhn. 2:29-3:1, 3:16-24). This is why we can have peace in suffering, joy in despair, hope in darkness, and a hand to guide us in this lost world (Rom. 5:1-11, Psa. 16:8, 119:105). Though we might not see Him, He has promised to always be with us and He is always with us (Heb. 13:5-6, Matt. 28:20, Jas. 1:2-5, Psa. 77:19). Our God is strong and loving. He cares for His people and He is able and willing to help them. Our souls rest on God because He is sovereign, He is Holy, He is Loving, He is gracious, He is kind, and He is our sure foundation (Isa. 33:5-6, Rom. 15:13). We can trust in Him (Psa. 33:21, 37:5).

One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.

~ Psalm 62:11-12 ~

Blessings to you and yours,

~Rose