Devotions: Only God

 

My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.

Psalm 62:1 New American Standard Bible 1995

 

When we are worried, oppressed or in trouble, the best place to go is God. We can get a lot of well-meaning advice from people who care, (and a lot of not so great or even harmful words from those who don’t), but none of them can really do anything about it. Our help is from the Lord. This psalm was written by David during a time of oppression and treachery (possibly when his son Absalom tried to overthrow him and take the throne.) It was a time of great pain and heartache but also fear. His son had many followers and eventually mounted a full army attack to kill David and all other possible claims to the throne. As true with David, when in distress he sought refuge in God and solitude. David didn’t talk to all his friends to find the best answer. He didn’t pour out his heart to any willing to listen. When he was troubled in spirit, he found a place to be alone so he could commune with God. Only God is the source of true comfort. Only He can save. Only He has the answers. Other translations say He is our “victory” which is not necessarily accurate for this verse, but the principle is true and still applies. Victory comes from God alone. We should ultimately trust in no one more, if at all. The Old Testament is full of stories of people who trusted in someone other than God, and they all had the same result: destruction. They lost because they didn’t go to God first. They tried to do things their way, or the world’s way.

I believe that waiting in silence has two meanings. First, David needed to get away from the voices of others so he could hear God more clearly. He had many followers including wives, children and military men. They all had opinions. It is hard to hear God’s voice if it is drowned out by others’. Second, I think he needed to be silent himself. Talking to God is good. It is important to tell Him what is going on and what we are feeling. But there is a time to talk and a time to listen, and a time to just be still. Silence of course helps us hear better, but being still is rejuvenating. There is heart work done in those moments we are simply quiet before God and allow Him to work on our souls. It is part of the process of learning to trust and rely on God.

What are you facing today? Are you worried, oppressed or in distress? Call upon the Lord and then wait on Him. Carve out time to just be still without expectation, just sitting in His presence. Make His help and guidance your greatest priority.

 

 

To view a video of this devo, visit my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author

To receive these devotions daily, like my page or subscribe to my blog by entering your email in the subscription box to the right!