Scripture Union Encounter With God 26th July 2020 – My Rock And My Rest
TODAY’S TOPIC: MY ROCK AND MY REST
Opening Prayer: Lord, You are my rock and my strength.
Read PSALM 62
Psalm 62[a] For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, 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]
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
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 God[c];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
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Scripture Union Encounter With God 26th July 2020
9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”
Footnotes:
a Psalm 62:1 In Hebrew texts 62:1-12 is numbered 62:2-13.
b Psalm 62:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 8.
c Psalm 62:7 Or / God Most High is my salvation and my honor
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate: Scripture Union Encounter With God 26th July 2020
Open my eyes that I may see You; open my heart that I may love You; take my life that I may serve You.
Think Further: Jesus told a story about two house builders, in which the critical difference was the foundation on which they built (Matt. 7:24–27). While little difference was evident from the outside, the storm revealed the inferiority of the house built on sand. By contrast, in hard times the psalmist is able to face his storms by affirming the strong foundation on which he had built his life. Unlike Babylon, seemingly so strong but ultimately a house of cards, God is utterly dependable. The psalmist wants to share his testimony and encourage others to build well.
The writer seems to be facing attack from a united opposition prepared to use both force and lies to get its way. Left to himself, no doubt he would feel overwhelmed and he could shortly capitulate—but he is not alone, for he belongs to God and puts his trust in him.
With the confidence a child has before bullies when his big brother is standing close by, the writer taunts them and reaffirms his faith in God. He entrusts his reputation and well-being to God. He is not hesitant in being honest about his situation before God, believing God to have big-enough shoulders to carry his burden and confident that God loves him enough to care.
With God central to his life he sees through those who oppose him. They are ultimately ephemeral, a mere breath, and not to be feared. They may have made it by the world’s standards, but often by cutting corners or doing corrupt deals. That never brings peace of mind or lasting contentment.
One day all will have to give account for the choices they made and the actions they took. Far better to turn to a gracious and mighty God who has the last word and who will settle accounts in a way that brooks neither dissent nor favoritism.
Apply: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1).
Closing Prayer: Lord, realizing that You render to each according to his or her work, I am resolved to walk uprightly every day.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Job 15–17 / Psalm 85
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