Isaiah 28:14-30:11; Galatians 3:23-4:31; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 23:19-21
Rest for our souls. Isn't that a beautiful idea?
I remember in high school when I was preparing a song for a vocal competition, a classical piece based off Jesus' words in Matthew. "He
will give you rest," I sang. What a promise.
Psalm 62 expounds this idea, giving us a peek into the psalmist's reasons for being able to rest. Because the Lord is his rock and salvation, his fortress (vs. 2, 6), he can be confident. We can only rest when we are safe. Think of an injured child, who cries until held by her mother, but then quiets within the security of those arms. Aren't we the same? We can pause because we have a firm rock, a mighty fortress, as our salvation - our protection. The imagery here is very defensible: can't you see the towers of the castle rising? The high ground (rock) from which all surrounding areas can be seen? The place of safety implied by "refuge" (vs. 7, 8)? Because these protective hedges are in place, because we can trust God, we can breathe. We can rest.
The certainty of this safe place is reinforced by repetition. The repeated words and ideas in vs. 1-2 and vs. 5-8 remind us that we have placed our trust in him "at all times" (vs. 8). He is trustworthy. He is secure. We can depend on God (vs. 6).
So on that foundation, we can build a layer of rest. We can also build hope (a theme from yesterday's reading - like Mom said, Scripture is very consistent!). Vs. 5 mentions hope specifically, but I think the declarations in the rest of that stanza confirm the idea. And vs. 9-10 push us to look beyond what is immediately apparent as we wait for the action of God.
The conclusion of the psalm, vs. 11-12, is not only a strong summary of God's character, but also points us right back to the beginning of the psalm. God is strong and God is loving. God is loving, and so he desires to offer us salvation and rest. God is strong, and so he can offer us salvation and rest. He is willing and able. Come unto him.
If you're interested and could use an audio reminder of Jesus' invitation, check out this YouTube link for "Come Unto Him," from Handel's "Messiah."
Psalm 62 expounds this idea, giving us a peek into the psalmist's reasons for being able to rest. Because the Lord is his rock and salvation, his fortress (vs. 2, 6), he can be confident. We can only rest when we are safe. Think of an injured child, who cries until held by her mother, but then quiets within the security of those arms. Aren't we the same? We can pause because we have a firm rock, a mighty fortress, as our salvation - our protection. The imagery here is very defensible: can't you see the towers of the castle rising? The high ground (rock) from which all surrounding areas can be seen? The place of safety implied by "refuge" (vs. 7, 8)? Because these protective hedges are in place, because we can trust God, we can breathe. We can rest.
The certainty of this safe place is reinforced by repetition. The repeated words and ideas in vs. 1-2 and vs. 5-8 remind us that we have placed our trust in him "at all times" (vs. 8). He is trustworthy. He is secure. We can depend on God (vs. 6).
So on that foundation, we can build a layer of rest. We can also build hope (a theme from yesterday's reading - like Mom said, Scripture is very consistent!). Vs. 5 mentions hope specifically, but I think the declarations in the rest of that stanza confirm the idea. And vs. 9-10 push us to look beyond what is immediately apparent as we wait for the action of God.
The conclusion of the psalm, vs. 11-12, is not only a strong summary of God's character, but also points us right back to the beginning of the psalm. God is strong and God is loving. God is loving, and so he desires to offer us salvation and rest. God is strong, and so he can offer us salvation and rest. He is willing and able. Come unto him.
If you're interested and could use an audio reminder of Jesus' invitation, check out this YouTube link for "Come Unto Him," from Handel's "Messiah."
- Sarah Marsh
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