In God Alone - January 22 Readings: Psalm 62

We are going to "enter the year with praise." Our January readings and devotionals will all focus on the goodness and grace of God. Get a journal or notebook to write down your thoughts every day. Our passages are shorter - please don't rush through them. Take time to meditate and consider why God is worthy of your praise.

Enter 2020 with the praise of God on your lips!

Today's Praise Passage:  Psalm 62

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.
 3 How long will you threaten a man?
Will all of you attack
as if he were a leaning wall
or a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to bring him down
from his high position.
They take pleasure in lying;
they bless with their mouths,
but they curse inwardly.Selah
 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
 9 Common people are only a vapor;
important people, an illusion.
Together on a scale,
they weigh less than a vapor.
10 Place no trust in oppression,
or false hope in robbery.
If wealth increases,
don’t set your heart on it.
 11 God has spoken once;
I have heard this twice:
strength belongs to God,
12 and faithful love belongs to you, Lord.
For you repay each according to his works.

Through the Bible Reading: Genesis 45-46, Matthew 14, Psalm 14:1–3, Proverbs 3:11-12

Some of our readers want a little more "meaty" devotional, so I am including a link to the through Through the Bible in One Year readings we did last year. 

Devotional: In God Alone

Yesterday we talked about "Songs of Ascent" that were recited when Israelites entered the presence of God, walking up the hill to worship at the Temple. Today our text is a "Psalm of Trust," one that expresses the Psalmist's faith that even in the darkest night our faith in God is not displaced. Psalm 23 is one of these, expressing faith that the Lord is our shepherd in the darkest valley and in the presence of our enemies.

Psalm 62 is a powerful expression of faith in God. David's life was marked by harassment from people he had tried to serve, from family members who betrayed him, from close friends scheming to use him, from the consequences of his own sin - he had a difficult life. But he learned the secret of handling the difficulties of life. He sought the help of the God of heaven. There are several truths we learn in this passage that we can carry with us.

1. The key word in this psalm is "alone." He found rest in God - in God ALONE. In verse 8, he says he trusted God "at all times." God is not our 911. We cannot live as we please and simply call him when there is a problem. He is gracious and he does respond, but those who would find true rest must seek God alone for their salvation and security and must trust him at all times.

2. In verses 9-10 David recognizes that people are a vapor. Fellowship is wonderful and people can be a support in times of need, but David realized that you could not put your faith in others, only in God. We are social creatures and cannot live on emotional islands, but God is our help and salvation.

3. Throughout these verses David affirmed that when he put his faith in God he was never disappointed. Look at the words he used to describe God. His rock. His salvation. His stronghold. His refuge. David had learned that God is trustworthy in all things.

We serve a God who can be trusted in all things. He is faithful to his word and to his people. When we trust in him we are never disappointed.

Father, thank you for being a God I can trust. 

Think and Pray:

Meditate on this passage and write down:

1. The character qualities of God for which you can praise him. 

2. The gracious acts of God for which you can give thanks to him. 

Think of the most challenging situations in your life - your fears, your relationship problems, the biggest issues that cause pain, stress, and anxiety for you day by day.

Pray through each of these and remind yourself that God is your strength and you can trust in him, in God alone.