Two Things Have I Heard
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Psalm 62:1-2, 5-12
1. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly moved. 5. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah] 9. Men of low estate are but a breath, men of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10. Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God; 12. and that to thee, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For thou dost requite a man according to his work.
Went walking this morning with my buddy. I’ll tell you, it’s better than therapy - and certainly much cheaper! I just feel as if I can “make it through” by the end of our walks. It’s such a blessing to have a friend to whom you can say anything, wonder out loud about anything, and with whom I can just be myself. Of course we talked about the death of the woman I commented on yesterday. And we are both aware of friends dealing with life issues and of the news is so bad from all over the world. . . .
And again I find myself unable to make sense of so much of life, I have so many questions about the why and the how and just what in the world is the plan, God!? I know I’m not ever going to figure it all out. And I really do need to start sleeping better, because this staying up trying to solve the mystery gets old--and exhausting! Last night I attended a Stephen Ministry supervision meeting. Collectively, the people in that room had probably experienced every part of life - birth, death, disease, loss, hatred - and on and on.
We make a list of prayer concerns - some of which are only for our group, some for public knowledge. And that list includes our personal struggles, as well as those of friends, neighbors, co-workers and members of the congregation. Does it help to know that these individuals really “get it?” Yes. Does it help to have my walking buddy/dear friend provide (and receive) “amateur therapy” three days a week? Absolutely.
Yes we are to rely upon God completely and absolutely in all situations. Sometimes we’re too angry at Him. Sometimes we’re disillusioned and disappointed. Sometimes we just can’t even bring ourselves to pray. That’s why He has placed us in community. That’s why he sends people into our lives for us. People who love us and care about us. People who walk with us - literally and figuratively -- through everything in our lives -- the joys, the sorrows, the celebrations and the grief.
When I stop to realize this, I do feel comforted that God really does have it all under control. He does have a perfect plan. And it is HIS plan--not mine. My NIV translation of verse 1 says, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” And verses 11-12, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.”
My prayer today is that we find rest in our God who has a perfect plan for us and our salvation. And that we lean upon Him, the rock that cannot be shaken, throughout every experience in our lives.
Mary
