Psalm 62:5-8 - 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.
In a preview for a new, live action version of the old, animated movie Snow White, the main character announces that she will find strength within herself to confront the challenges she will face on her journey. That may or may not have been a factor in the plot of the older version of the movie, but in our culture, self-reliance and independence are highly valued traits. These are, of course, very useful qualities for anyone, but as followers of Jesus Christ we know that discipleship calls for an even more important trait—humility.
In our verses today, the psalmist counsels his soul, engaging in some encouraging "self-talk," but he is not searching for inner-strength or self-reliance. In humility he acknowledges that his own strength is not enough. He will not find hope and salvation within himself. He tells his soul, "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him." God alone can provide help and hope. Those words are wise and inspired counsel for our souls, too. We may have inner strength and courage—such qualities are also gifts of God—but in joy or in sorrow, in trying days and ordinary days, true help and lasting hope can only be found outside of ourselves. God alone is our firm foundation, our rock and our fortress. To Him alone we can pour out our hearts, our fears and worries, knowing that He is our refuge, our place of safety.
God is our rock and foundation, not only for this present life, but for eternity. No powers of independence or self-reliance, no inner strength of character, can win for us salvation and eternal glory. In humility and hope we admit that we cannot save ourselves. Jesus our Lord has done that for us. As the psalmist writes, "On God rests my salvation and my glory." We are to have the attitude of Christ, who humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross to save us. Jesus humbly placed His hope in His Heavenly Father. Even as He hung on the cross, Jesus "continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23b). Jesus was raised up in triumph over death and exalted to reign at the right hand of God: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone" (Psalm 118:22). Jesus is our Rock and our Fortress. Our salvation and our glory rest in Him alone.
WE PRAY: Lord, when I am worried and fearful, help me to remember that You are my Fortress. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. When do you most realize your strength alone is not enough to get you through?
2. Scripture often mentions waiting in silence on God? Why do you think that is important?
3. How do you surrender your life to God on a daily basis?
Today's Bible Readings: Job 17-19 Matthew 10:21-42
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