Text: Psalm 62
Introduction
How can we be still in a hectic world? Even if we try there are demands upon our time, i.e. telephone calls, a salesperson knocking and other interruptions. Our age is filled with noise, motion and entertainments, so to actually have a quiet time in the presence of God is almost a luxury. Nevertheless, a time of stillness and waiting upon the Lord is needed now more than at any other time in history.
Waiting upon God
“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah” (Psalm 62:1-4).
Only God can give us the strength to endure in a fallen world that is decaying all around us. Our great need is God’s power, and we are not going to receive it unless we wait upon Him. “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). God alone is the source of our salvation and defence in times of trouble. Life itself can undermine our faith in Christ, yet as we trust in Him we will stand firm and not be “greatly moved.”
As we wait upon the Lord our heart will be assured of its stability and security in Him. There are many who would love to see us fail, falter and fall, but God is with us each step of the way. “Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble” (Proverbs 3:23) … “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:13-14).
Wait upon God alone
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:5-7).
As we wait upon the Lord we will find relief from the burdens of daily life. Our God is the burden-lifter, so we never need to be anxious over problems that come our way. “Fear ye not, neither be afraid” (Isaiah 44:8) … “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22) … “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8).
God is a sure foundation for all who put their trust in Him. The storms of life might do their worst, and the enemies of truth may seek our destruction, but the Lord is still our Rock of Defence. “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4). We know no other place of refuge than God Himself. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust … Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling” (Psalm 91:1-2, 9-10).
Trust in the Lord
“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work” (Psalm 62:8-12).
Things will go wrong, but we should not divert our faith away from God and onto the problem. Neither should we put our trust in what we think is secure in this world. Faith sees beyond the appearance of things that can be seen with the natural eye to that which is spiritual and eternal. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Regardless of what comes against us, we can know that God is still on His Throne and watches over His own. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). When we despair, there remains someone who can mend broken hearts, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). We may suffer physically and financially, but that is no indication that God has forsaken us, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:12-13).
Conclusion
If our lives are filled with turmoil and stress, then we need a place of quietness and rest so that our souls can be refreshed in the presence of God. “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). The place is of our own choosing, but one must be found. “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still” (Psalm 4:4). In times of trouble, affliction and opposition, we should turn to the Lord as our refuge and deliverer. In Him we will find unshakeable confidence to face the difficulties head on. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).
© 5/3/2008