Have you ever been really, really tired?  So tired that you really could hear your “bed calling”?  I certainly have.  There are times when 7:30 PM rolls around and it feels like 11 PM (don’t criticize—I’m a morning person).  On those days, I am worthless and simply need rest.  Can you identify?

 

In Psalm 62, David is in that spot except he’s it in spiritually.  He feels beaten up, betrayed, and berated.  Can you identify?  Yet, David calls to the One who is actually able to do something about it: the Lord.

 

David writes (verses 1-4):

1 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 will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down—

this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies.

With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. 

 

David reminds himself and us to find rest in His salvation.  Look at the words David uses: rest, salvation, rock, and fortress.  We can see why he reminds himself to find rest in the Lord’s salvation: those around him are trying to overthrow him.  With their mouths they bless him, but their hearts curse him.  David knows only the Lord can give rest for his storm-worn soul.  Only the Lord can cause him to “never be shaken”.

 

It’s so easy to look constantly on our circumstances instead of focusing on the one Who is above our circumstances.  David reminds us to find rest in His salvation.

 

He also reminds himself and us to find rest in His stability:

 

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

 

Where do you find hope?  The world is out of our control.  Where do you find stability?  A recession and a busted housing bubble has reminded us not to put our hope in money or wealth.  David reminds himself: the Lord is His rock, salvation, and fortress.  Because of this, he will not be shaken.  Even though the world may feel like it’s a 9.0 on the Richter scale, you can rest in the stability of the Almighty.  Verse 8 is an incredible command “trust in him at all times…”  You can and need to trust in Him.  He alone is solid. 

 

“On Christ the solid Rock I stand…” 

 

David reminds himself to find rest in the Lord’s salvation and stability and he concludes this Psalm with the following verses:

Find Rest in His Strength (verses 9-12)

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie.

If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods;

though your riches increase, do not set your heart on
them.

11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:

“Power belongs to you, God, 12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and,

“You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

 

David reminds us we find rest in His strength.  “Take courage, my friend, your redemption is near, the battle belongs to the Lord!”[1] Power belongs to our God.  In the beginning, God spoke the universe into existence.  This incredible power is beyond our comprehension.  Yet, this incredible Being is close enough to hear us when we call out to Him.  AND, he wants us to rest in His strength.  As the Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a).

 

He longs for you and me to find rest in Him.  He longs for us to call out to Him.  His love is unfailing and He still says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

 

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[1] “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” Words and Music by Jamie Owens-Collins © 1985 Fairhill Music.