Sounds cliche, but it's true. For when David sang the songs, he trusted that God would save him from his enemies, that God would keep him from harm. Which God did. Because David TRUSTED him to do so. He didn't put God in a box, or make him seem out of reach - these two chapters bring it home to me, I hope they can bring it home to you too.
Lets start with chapter 62...
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Psalms 62
This song speaks to me in such a way that reminds me of my childhood. When I would wait patiently to hear a word from God. That innocent patience with unwavering trust. My soul would always feel refreshed and revived, once I cried out in humble honesty to the Lord. Why? Because God is the salvation of my soul. He refills it with life and living water when it is dying and parched.
People claim that "John 3:16" is the verse that you must remember, I agree - to an extent. Because, before John was born, David spoke of God's salvation, he spoke that God saves those whom trust in him. You see, in John's time, God had come to us in the flesh of Christ - but the knowledge that one must trust and believe in God, was already in the world!
Psalms 62 speaks to me each time, a little differently. Especially verse 8.
"Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."
Because I have such trouble with trusting people, this chapter reminds me that God is truly trustworthy, not just because he's our salvation, but because he's also my safe haven when I'm in trouble.
To those of you who live in dangerous parts of the world, a safe haven is important. Well, in times of hardship, struggles, turmoil in your own personal life, God is our safe haven. I would love to sit and say that I trust God all the time and whatnot, but even I am human and fall short of that small simple thing.
Psalms 62 is a great reminder that God is our saviour, refuge, and our everlasting companion and Judge.
Psalms 62:1-12
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering force? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. 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. Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his works.
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Psalms 63:1-11
Psalms 63 keeps in line with the previous chapter. However, this one speaks more of how my soul is satisfied constantly with the Lord's blessing and his merciful love. It's hard at times to think that I'm loved by the Lord of all Creation, but it's true. I'm loved without restraint. Even when I've done wrong, God still loves me, and this chapter reminds me that God is STEADFAST in that love that he gives.
No matter what, as long as I have faith in Him that I can come to him with EVERYTHING and he'll love me through it all. No matter what the issue may be! In God's undying love, he has steadfastly shown me that I am His and he is mine.
No matter what trials or struggles I face, God is my refuge. Not humans. not the world, but rather, God is the safe haven that shields me against the deadliest of the Enemies arrows. I know that, by reading this song of David, that God is close to me, that he's not so far away that he can't be personally involved in my life... I can see, just by reading and listening that God is clearly with me. Psalms 63 is the chapter that brought me back to God when I had fallen astray and had forgotten him in my wanderings.
This chapter showed me just how steadfast, God can be. He loved me when I fell away, he wept when I didn't come home, he helped me EVEN though I refused to acknowledge him, he gave mercy to me when I held no mercy on others, he forgave me when I couldn't forgive him, he gave me grace when I pushed him away... Through all of that, he never left, never turned his back, never walked away... never cursed me though in my heart I cursed myself. When sin held sway completely over me, he loved me through it and brought me closer to him.
All because of the song David sung to him, all those years ago. It became alive in my life, it became a guide in my walk to Christ, it helped me see clearer, listen closer, and understand better - that God is not distant, but close, very close. All I had to do was trust and believe and know that he was there and that he could help me...
But just because I found the starting line to my faith, doesn't mean the struggles to keep it were over with! Far from it! Today, I face greater challenges (because I again fell away from God) and yet, he's never left me. He's picking me up each day, giving me a ray of light and grace and telling me everyday that he still loves me. He revealed my misstep and I repented, I still find myself remembering that misstep and I still repent, but I do not regret anything. Because God has told me to hold on to my faith. To trust him, to thirst for him with my soul of souls. To continue to seek him, with each day I wake and sleep I remember him.
Psalm 63 is very close to my heart. Because in all the wanderings I've had, it reminds me over and over that God is love, and that he's steadfast in it.
Psalm 63:1-11
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
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These statements and opinions are solely my own. I do not pretend to understand or comprehend the bible in it's entirety; these opinions and stories are of my own personal take on the stated above portions of the Written Word.
Yes I wrote this disclaimer so that people would not assume. I do not wish to lead anyone astray because of a misunderstanding on either part. However, I do hope that my opinions and statements will help you in your journey to understanding for yourself what God has for you in each part of the Bible.Thank you and have a great day!
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