What If the Most Spiritual Thing You Could Do Is Rest? (Psalm 59-62)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Do you struggle to rest in God?

As the various psalmists illustrate, there are numerous ways to pray. Sometimes, we whisper; other times, we yell. But as Psalm 62 demonstrates, sometimes the best thing we can do is just be silent. King David is the likely author of this psalm, which may have been written while he was on the run from his son Absalom. Despite all the turmoil in his life, David says these words:

¹ I am at rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
² He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
⁵ Rest in God alone, my soul,
for my hope comes from him.
⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
⁷ My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock.
My refuge is in God.
⁸ Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts before him.
God is our refuge. Selah

Resting in God involves placing our complete trust and confidence in his care and provision and surrendering our anxieties and burdens to him. True rest isn’t laziness, it’s active dependence. It’s saying, “God, what I want to do right now is take action, but instead, I am going to be silent and wait on you.” As John Goldingay writes, “Psalm 62 clearly has an ideal of silence, but its logic is different from the one in Western spirituality and the one in Psalm 46. Here silence toward God is an expression of trust in God.”^[1] Goldingay goes on to offer a bit of color to this passage by noting,

The psalm does not presuppose that trust may be easier because the situation is not too pressing. It presupposes the plight of a person under pressure from people who are quite willing to commit murder. The reference to deception likely implies that as usual this situation need not mean that they will be physically attacking their victim; rather they will be taking legal or diplomatic action that could ultimately bring about his death. While pretending to be his supporters, behind the scenes they are dismissing him and plotting his downfall.^[2]

This brings us to two critical questions: First, how do we know when to rest, and second, how do we rest when we feel overwhelming anxiety? While these answers aren’t simple, it’s important to note that meaningful work comes out of deep rest. As we rest in God, the way we work changes. Thus, resting isn’t something we should do occasionally. It’s a constant state of being. We act from a place of rest.

How do we do this? The best way is to make conscious decisions against our flesh and instill good rhythms that keep us on track. The next time we start getting anxious, rather than forcing ourselves to plow through and take a nap, we must first unwind and prepare our minds for rest. Maybe we go for a walk, do something fun, or talk to a good friend. These activities allow our minds to settle down. From there, we can lean further into God’s rest by taking a passage of Scripture, meditating on it, and then laying down for a nap—praying this scripture as we drift to sleep.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | Lord, my soul finds rest in you alone; my salvation comes from you. Truly, you are my rock and my salvation; you are my fortress. I will never be shaken. My salvation and honor depend on you; you are my mighty rock and refuge.

Release | I release my worries and burdens to you, for you are my refuge. I let go of my fears and anxieties, trusting that you will handle them. I surrender my need for control, knowing that your plans are greater than mine.

Ask | Lord, help me to trust in you at all times. Pour out your strength and peace upon me. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God and Savior. May I always find rest in your presence.

Yield | I yield my heart to you, trusting in your unfailing love. I submit my plans to your will, knowing that you are my rock and my salvation. I rest in your promises and find peace in your presence.

A Challenge to Act Like Christ