“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1
Who doesn’t crave a little soul rest? I’m not talking about a power nap or even a week under a palm tree (although both are quite lovely, especially the palm tree option. I know, I have a thing for palm trees. I’ll get help.) I’m referring to complete and utter respite from the continual bombardment of problems, guilt, questions, exhaustion, frustration… you know, the everyday stuff that weighs us down like a hefty anchor, given half the chance.
Oh, to exhale it all away. Most of us are tired. Bone-weary, even. We blame it on our age (!), our demanding schedules, our lack of downtime, our inability to shut off and turn down the continual noise of life. We long for blessed rest that reaches into our marrow and beyond, more than physical, mental, and emotional; that complete and utter rest for our battered, frazzled, hopelessly forgetful souls.
Psalm 62 was penned by one in a state of distress, being threatened amidst all manner of difficulties and dangers. The words “my soul finds rest” are also translated as “my soul waits in silence”… I’m SO not good at the waiting thing, especially in silence. And then the MacArthur Study Bible says: “Silence indicates trust that is both patient and uncomplaining”—patient, uncomplaining… again, not my biggest attributes. Why is the waiting and the silence and the resting so hard?
“To wait in silence before the Lord is not idleness or inactivity. It is calm worship and faith, resting in His greatness and submitted to His will.” (Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study Series)
So it IS a big deal, this soul rest. It’s a trust thing. This Psalm offers such sweet words of comfort and assurance—we need to TRUST in God… He already has our salvation worked out, and surely we know deep down that we can trust Him with everything. He’s got it. He’s really, really big. Our Solid Rock. And His love soothes our worries and melts our anxious thoughts, that we might experience soul rest.
“God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him, so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle: I’m set for life.”
(Psalm 62:1-2 The Message)
“…breathing room for my soul…”
Ahhhhhh. He is the One who offers that beautiful “peace that passes all understanding”. John Ortberg puts it like this: “When you give your soul rest, you open it to the peace Jesus intends for you. A rested soul is an easy yoke.”
So how do we tap into this rest for our souls? By coming to Christ. Hands open, hearts open, eyes open. He promises to come through for us. Sometimes we need to take time, slow down, sit. Sometimes we soak in His glorious creation or immerse ourselves in the beauty of worship. We get together with our brothers and sisters, reminding ourselves that we are in this together. We pray. We read His Word. We come.
“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.” Matthew 11:28-29
Oh, yes please!
Rest, my friends, rest in Him…
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers. Check them out:
