Psalm 62 - Rest

Psalm 62:1-12 NIV For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 3 How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down-- this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 4 They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah 5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone 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, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah 9 Lowborn men 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 take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, 12 and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.

“Rest” in the Bible is an intriguing thought, but caring it out in real life seems like a bigger task than benefit. Really it is rest in God that helps us to renew our focus and strength to take on life and its challenges. So what is this rest? I still don't fully know, but here's some of what I do. True rest can only be found in God. As we need to yield our bodies and minds to sleep, so our soul needs to yield to God. An eternal “rest” will come for those who believe (Heb. 4), but God reminds us throughout the Bible that we need to find rest in him (Is. 55:1-2, Mt. 11:28-30, Ps. 62:1&5, Hb. 4 to name a few). When God created the heavens and earth he rested (no small task to set aside). Jesus also rested, not just as a religious act on the sabbath but also as a way of life. He retreated from the crowds often and prayed (Lk. 5:16). If Jesus needed this communion with God, how much more do we? A true rest in God is acknowledging him as our only true hope, refuge, strength and honor (vs7). Resting in God means putting our faith in him with all that concerns us. Most verses that speak of this rest also speak of having faith in God and I'm sure this is no accident. It sounds pretty trick to try and walk a path without our own light in hand, but in following Him we can count on a firm path (Ps. 37:23). Okay, so how do we find this rest? Here's a couple ways I've found in my imperfect search for a perfect God:

* Prayer – I have found rest by giving over my worries and concerns to God, asking him to give me guidance and strength to take the right steps. In giving this over I have found peace in some of the toughest times. * Physical Rest – We need it every once in a while. This is one way I have found to lay all of my concerns down and trust God. Things will wait and by trusting God with them we acknowledge that we hold him above all else. Who would have thought that a nap could bring glory to God? How do you find rest in God?

Hebrews 4:2-3 NIV 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.

Isaiah 55:1-2 NIV "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Luke 5:16 NIV But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. 11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.

Psalm 37:23-24 NIV 23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

The Father's Gift

The Father gave His Son in love,
In love the Son came and died. For love He conquered sin and death,
From death He rose to life. The Son returned to the Father,
For love was no longer bound. In love the Father sent His Spirit,
To all who would be found. By love the Father gave a choice,
To receive His love and live. All who have received His love,
Now have love to give. © 2009 Devin Allison

Wrote this April 29, 2009.
Hope it is an encouragement.