Scripture: 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 before us. Selah (reflective pause)
Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they (both) 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.” (Ps 62:5-12a)
Observation: Sometimes the Psalmist interjects statement of praise at what could be puzzling times in a Psalm. What should I take away from that? How do I reconcile that “puzzle?”
Analysis: It is books like Psalms that I can tend to separate the easy “eye candy” from the tough to chew stuff.
I go: “hard; hard; oh, I understand that, sounds good, like that promise; hard; hard; huh?; hard; AMEN.
Writing in a published journal format can lend itself to that kind of action. For instance, what is found uplifting in “Smite them, O Lord, according to your lovingkindness to Israel…”? (Note: I just made that up)
But, if I read several lines before and several lines following, something wonderful can be found. Sometimes is it just meditating, putting myself in the Psalmist’s place in an imaginative way that the Word of God unfolds itself.
The first line on this reference: “Soul, wait in silence for God alone; for my hope is from (originates) from only HIM.” (paraphrased)
I think that there is a common theme with David talking to his soul in Psalms. My soul can quiver and shake just like his. I can be disturbed in fear about the stuff going on around me. My fortunes can rise and fall despite my attempts to steady them. I fight, I claw, I hold grudges, and grumble and complain—all in the ways of the world.
David gets this, identifies personally with this, but he is not presumptuous about his character before God. He is candid and transparent. Doesn’t hide evil in his heart but lays it out there in descriptive and thorough confession. And then eventually he says:
“But in You and You alone O God, is my strength. Remind me in my weakness and say, no, shout, “I am Your Salvation. Why are you in despair, O my soul—Hope in God for He is my salvation!!”
Yep, I need to remember this more…
Prayer: Lord, this is why I hammer the facts of the Gospel to myself daily. There isn’t any pride welling up in me about this (well, not much anyway—thanks Daddy Adam) but, renewing my mind to your Word, I remember my weakness (very weak) and my intrinsic value (not much) and CELEBRATE your salvation!! I am in my backyard practicing tossing crowns…AMEN