“For God alone my soul waits in silence
From Him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
My defense and my strong tower;
I will not be shaken or disheartened.”
Psalm 62:1-2 AMP
Grace Perspective:
Silence, stillness, waiting. This Psalm of David reminds us that as we wait on the Lord, we need to quiet our souls. Easier said than done. David gives us clues on how to do this challenging exercise by remembering Who God is.
God is the One who saves. David experienced many difficult seasons where he had to literally live in caves. Surrounded by thick walls of rock, David knew that God was his defense and strong tower. As he waits in stillness for the Lord to deliver him, David drew near to God, knowing by faith that God was close to him. David calmed his racing heart by clinging to truth, continually reminding himself of Who God Is so his heart was not shaken as he waited in gracious silence for the Lord.
A Touch of Grace:
What does silence mean to you?
What do you do as you wait on the Lord?
Grace Application:
Waiting is hard. Waiting without inner turmoil and anxiety is even more difficult. Thankfully being quiet doesn’t mean we can’t talk with God. The silence David refers to is the absence of chaotic emotions that threaten our trust in God.
In this same Psalm last week, we saw that God waits for us to pour out our hearts to Him. Waiting in silence doesn’t mean we don’t have a conversation with God. It means expressing all our emotions to Him and trusting that He can handle them. Placing our faith in the Lord, knowing that He is there, ready to listen as we share our hearts, reveals Who we trust.
We may never find ourselves hiding in a cave from enemies who seek to kill us; however, life can take us to some dark places. Our thoughts can become our enemies if we allow them to distort our thinking about God. Doubt and fear are powerful emotions that quickly cause our minds and hearts to forget what we know is true. God is good, He is with us, He hears us, He has a plan even in painful seasons, and He will sustain us through all the storms of life. (See 2 Corinthians 1:4-10)
God permits seasons of pain for many reasons we can’t understand. However, as we remember Who God is and that He wastes nothing that He brings into our lives, perhaps we can begin to see the dark places as C.S. Lewis did,
“Holy places are dark places. It is life and strength,
not knowledge and words, that we get in them.
Holy wisdom is not clear and thin like water,
but thick and dark like blood.”[i]
As I walk through a season of grief after Mom’s death and other difficulties that God has chosen for me to experience, I’m pouring out my emotions and pain to God. My mind is often at war as I struggle to hold on to what I know is true. Emotions of fear and doubt threaten to control me. However, as I cry out to God, I remember my Savior who fought this battle too. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus poured out His heart to the Father, revealing that He experienced deep emotions in His human flesh. Our Savior modeled for us Who to turn to with all our feelings.
The dark places become holy places when I remember Who He is, the Rock of my salvation, and my soul is strengthened. I find refuge in His Word, a defense against thoughts that seek to draw me into a bottomless pit of doubt and fear. I have to remind myself to do this almost non-stop. However, as I take my thoughts to the strong tower of truth, gracious silence fills my soul. I pray that you find refuge in His quiet grace as you wait for Him.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, You are my Rock and Strong Tower. Your Word is a defense against the chaotic thoughts that seek to overwhelm me at times. Forgive me for the times I’ve allowed fear and doubt to consume me. Holy Spirit, help me remember the Truth. Help me come to You when emotions threaten to control me and quiet my soul as I wait in gracious silence, trusting Who You are. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for sure you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God so that all doubt is erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**
[i] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/780048-holy-places-are-dark-places-it-is-life-and-strength