Our Rock and Fortress

By Dean Collins

It is a good season to find a refuge, a fortress, and a rock. I have heard others say recently and have thought myself that there are so many institutions and areas of the world where things seem especially fragile. Think of all the situations and issues in recent times that have created instability and fear in different countries and across the globe:

·      Israel, Hamas, and tension in the Middle East

·      Russia and Ukraine

·      North Korea and China

·      The Japanese economy and stock market

·      The U.S. stock market and economy 

·      The current tensions in politics in the U.S.

·      The jobs report in the U.S.

·      And on and on…

We look to many things to give us a foundation. We need and depend on our jobs to provide for our families. We depend on our government to keep us safe and to keep our economy healthy. We have relationships with allies to keep the global economy healthy, maintain a sense of stability, and promote freedom and human dignity in the world. But when we see so many struggles, it is easy to be filled with concern and even anxiety for ourselves and our loved ones.

The psalmist has a critical reminder for us in any season and especially in our difficult ones: He alone is our rock, our salvation, and our fortress.

The psalmist begins with this confession: “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” There are two things that jump out at us right away. First, that God alone is our salvation. David expanded on this as we read through this psalm:

·      God alone is my rock

·      God alone is my fortress

·      God alone is our hope

·      God alone is our refuge

While we may be tempted to look to wealth, job security, political leaders, and even family to be our foundation, we eventually realize that all of these may be used by God but are never ultimately sufficient as our firm foundation. Money and jobs can disappear. Political leaders falter and are subject to their own desires over ours. No one has a perfect family because every family is made up of sinners just like you and me. Here’s the other thing about our human support systems: they can be very noisy. I am not necessarily talking about your loud family, though with nine grandchildren, I have heard plenty of noise! Most of our human systems are constantly demanding more from us, and with social media and AI, there are plenty of ways for politicians, employers, and advisors to be constantly trying to get our attention.

David said that God alone is his salvation, and his soul waits for him in silence. Have you noticed how hard it is to find silence? While others we love and respect may want to talk with us (and we need to talk to our family and friends), we often inflict noise upon ourselves. More and more, we walk around with earbuds listening to other things. Even if we listen to lots of educational things, if we want to find real hope, security, and refuge, we must learn to protect some time where we can be alone and silent in God’s presence. It is in these moments where our strength grows as we discover how present and reliable our God truly is. And he is usually just waiting for us to slow down and meet him. 

David encourages himself in God’s truth, and then he encourages us as well. Listen to his pleas for us:

 Trust in him at all times

O people; pour out your heart before him

Our tendency is to trust in him sometimes, usually when we are feeling some pain, suffering, or have concerns. David reminds us that we can trust in him at all times. We can pour out our hearts before him. There is nothing in your heart that will scare God away. In fact, the more we open our hearts to God, the more his word and his Spirit changes us and corrects our thinking and behavior.

So, sometime today, find a quiet spot. Turn off all your devices. Silence your phone and sit with God in silence. Let the Father know your worries and concerns. Confess your sins. Meditate on a verse or two of scripture. And see what happens.

Father, today we seek you and you alone. Forgive us for all the times we have sought refuge in so many places other than in you. You alone are our rock, our refuge, and our salvation. Thank you for your word that calls us to remember who you are and transforms us when we allow your Spirit to teach us. Thank you for your steadfast love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 62:1-12 ESV

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