God’s will is sometimes hard to follow. He asks us to do the right things. He calls us to endure hardship without complaining; to love awkward people; to heed the voice inside us that says, You mustn’t; to take steps we’d rather not take. So, we must tell our souls all day long: “Hey soul, listen up. Be silent: Do what Jesus is asking you to do.”
“My soul waits in silence for God alone” (Psalm 62:1 nasb). “My soul, wait in silence for God alone” (62:5 nasb). The verses are similar, but different. David says something about his soul; then says something to his soul. “Waits in silence” addresses a decision, a settled state of mind. “Wait in silence” is David stirring his soul to remember that decision.
David determines to live in silence—quiet submission to God’s will. This is our calling as well, the thing for which we were created. We’ll be at peace when we’ve agreed: “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This is our first and highest calling when we make Him Lord and the source of our deepest pleasure. “I desire to do your will,” the psalmist said (Psalm 40:8).
We must always ask for God’s help, of course, for our “hope comes from him” (62:5). When we ask for His help, He delivers it. God never asks us to do anything He won’t or can’t do.
Read: Psalm 62 (NIV)
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 Truly my soul finds restr in God;s
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rockt and my salvation;u
he is my fortress,v I will never be shaken.w
3 How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall,x this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.b y
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;z
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on Godc;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.a
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;b
pour out your hearts to him,c
for God is our refuge.
9 Surely the lowbornd are but a breath,e
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance,f they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortiong
or put vain hope in stolen goods;h
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.i
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,j
12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;k
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”l
INSIGHT
- When have you thought God’s will for you was difficult?
- How can you live in quiet submission?
The phrase “my salvation” appears four times in Psalm 62 (vv. 1, 2, 6, 7). Two related words in these verses are translated “salvation.” All find their root in the Hebrew verb yaw-shah', which means “to save, to be saved, to be delivered.” David saw God as his true source of safety. In Psalm 27:1 he wrote, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” The Old Testament compound name Joshua (“the Lord is salvation”) includes this root. Jesus, whose name is explained in Matthew 1:21, is the New Testament rendering of Joshua.
PRAYER
I may not always understand Your will, Father, but I ask for help to submit to it. Teach me to trust Your good and faithful character. Please give me a submissive heart. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Psalm 62 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 22-23; 1 Peter 1
