I know it is hard to believe for I have struggled with this truth often but that doesn’t mean it isn’t truth.  A soul surrendered to rest in God is a soul who enjoys peace with God no matter what is going on around you, in you, or to you!  It doesn’t matter what you have not done, failed at, or in the middle of wondering what is next?  It doesn’t matter where you are in your walk, God is still right there. Our response is to open our ears and eyes to see our God at work as we listen to His wisdom.  Yes, one who walks with God IS a soul at rest and at peace.

David found this treasure of peace as he writes, “Be still”, let go, listen, and surrender to Him for this is the way to “know God” who IS our rest and peace.  The bonus of peace is the secure foundation that never cracks or dissolves under our feet. God was, is, and always will be God—our firm foundation of salvation, truth, love, mercy, and grace. 

Psalm 62, The Message

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

^1-2 God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life.

^3-4 How long will you gang up on me?
    How long will you run with the bullies?
There’s nothing to you, any of you—
    rotten floorboards, worm-eaten rafters,
Anthills plotting to bring down mountains,
    far gone in make-believe.
You talk a good line,
    but every “blessing” breathes a curse.

^5-6 God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life.

^7-8 My help and glory are in God
    —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people;
    lay your lives on the line for him.
    God is a safe place to be.

⁹ Man as such is smoke,
    woman as such, a mirage.
Put them together, they’re nothing;
    two times nothing is nothing.

¹⁰ And a windfall, if it comes—
    don’t make too much of it.

¹¹ God said this once and for all;
    how many times
Have I heard it repeated?
  “Strength comes
Straight from God.”

¹² Love to you, Lord God!
    You pay a fair wage for a good day’s work!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Life on earth was difficult for David but his response to life depended on God. He found satisfaction only in his relationship with God. God refreshed and fulfilled him.  God loved David because David’s desire was to seek God’s heart with all his heart, mind, and soul as God commanded from the beginning to His people.  David knew that the love of God was the greatest treasure to have and hold.  David desire was to forever be in the presence of God for God is love.

Joy, peace, and fulfillment can only be found in the pursuit a holy, intimate, loving fellowship with God.  God is peace, joy, and real love.  God knows us and knows what we need when we need it most. God, like David sings, is truly all we need.

And what does the LORD require of us for all that He has done for us?  After reading His Word from Genesis to Revelation, we discover that our God who created us, knows us by name, delights in all the details of our lives, rescues and delivers us from evil, then puts us on the solid rock of His salvation by His loving sacrifice; want us to simply and forever love Him back! 

How could it be so simple?  Because we are simple and God knows that!  “We love Him because He first loved us”, John the beloved disciple explains. God had to teach us what His love is which is like no other love in the world we live.  God doesn’t just love us; He is love. “To know love is to know God for God is love”, John teaches. John a fisherman by trade, called of Jesus to follow Him daily, leaned in to talk and listen; trust and obey. Imagine waking each day fully surrendered to the Son of Man/Son of God who called you to follow Him and see the miracles of God in Jesus!  Imagine walking and talking down dusty roads, encountering all kinds of people, side by side with the Way, Truth and Life.  Jesus demonstrated the Love of God in all He thought, said and did! John and the others were blessed just being in His Presence as willing participates!

Jesus called, equipped, and mentored all who believed and followed Him before He paid the debt for the sins of the world. For three years of ministry to the masses, Jesus not only taught and demonstrated God’s love; He became the ultimate sacrifice prompted by the love of God in Him.  John accepted, surrendered and internalized this love of God that because a part of his being.  Jesus knew and saw the love of God in Him and entrusted Mary, His earthly mother to him. 

The Good News is that God’s love, demonstrated by Jesus, passed on to John prompted is for all who believe in Him NOW!  All that John thought, said and did in the Name of Jesus was “so that the world would know” of this relentless love who is God as shown by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. (Read 1 John 4)  The Love of God is now in all who believe in Him and are surrendered to His will.  And we did nothing to desire or earn this love—absolutely nothing—except to believe!

God demonstrated His love in this; “while we were yet sinners; Christ died for us,” Paul writes to the church trying to grow in His love, seeking how to love each other.  Paul wrote much about the love of God, too.  Paul explained to the church then which is significant to us now!  God demonstrated His unconditional love for humanity by sending Jesus Christ to die for all the sins of the world. God forgives all who believe and repent of their sins in Jesus Name. This forgiveness of sins is completely independent of human merit or good behavior; it is only by His love, mercy, and grace for us.  Our toughest temptation is to think we must work hard doing good things in and out of church to earn His salvation; but it is only by His grace we are forgiven and set free!  Does this mean we don’t do good things, no, but we do them driven by the love of God in us—not for any other reason!

It is God’s love that is the rock-solid foundation upon which our love for each other begins and prospers.  “Love God”, the first and most important commandment, says Jesus, who continues to teach “and the second most important commandment is to love each other!”  Without the love of God flowing in and through us we cannot love others like He loves us! 

Pause, rest in the Love of God who thinks we were dying for and will love us forever!

Lord,

Thank you for teaching us your love as we internalize the truth of the depths of your love for us. Thank you for cleansing our hearts with your love. Thank you for renewing our minds with your loving thoughts. Thank you for refreshing our souls with your mercies. Thank you for allowing us to rest in your love while your work continues to mold and shape us to be all you created us to be.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen