Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my
Psalm 62:5–6
rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
The Psalmist writes about powerful and evocative themes; rest, hope, an unshakeable rock and fortress in whom there is salvation. Do you share any of the Psalmist’s assurance and confidence for your life?
Many in our time have built their lives upon unstable foundations – their health, wealth and relative security, their relationships, academic or career success. Sadly, many have found themselves broke, broken and anxious in the aftermath of a global pandemic, in the midst of economic recession, industrial turmoil, an energy crisis and growing fears of a looming environmental catastrophe and the threat of escalating armed conflicts.
When the outlook is bleak, look up! The psalmist writes as he does from a situation not too dissimilar to our own, yet he writes of finding rest, more than a day off or a lie in – it’s a deep ‘soul’ rest. It’s a rested state that benefits our whole life and so also everyone else around us! It is the rest that God alone gives, as is the hope. It’s not blind optimism, neither is it naïve. It’s hope from God, despite our present troubles. God is the rock on which we can stand that no storm can sweep us from. He is the fortress in whom we shelter, our salvation. Though we experience hardship and trial now we have this assurance – that we will spend eternity with God in a new heaven and a new earth without fear, suffering, anxiety or death.
