Soul Rest

 

 Psalm 62:5-8

Intro: King David was like us. There was bad news, situations and circumstances that surrounded him each day, but he had found the secret to finding soul rest even through all the things he had to face daily. We would be wise to follow his advice.

I. Soul Rest Comes Only From God. Psalm 62:5a (NIV) Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; Many people try to find rest for their souls in the things of the world. They put their hopes for soul rest in money, people, alcohol, entertainment, partying and the like. Davis said under the inspiration of the Spirit that he would commit his whole cause to God, and that his soul would then be calm and without apprehension. Jesus invites us to come to Him soul for rest. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) ²⁸  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

II. Hope in God Brings Soul Rest. [Psalm 62:5b] my hope comes from him. David says that all of his hope (confident expectation) comes from God. He did not rely on his fellow man; he did not rely on himself. Often we find ourselves in such circumstances that we feel inadequate. All our strength fails; all our resources are exhausted; our fellow-men cannot or will not aid us; our own efforts seem to be vain; our money can't help us, our plans are frustrated, that's when we realize that God alone can help us. God alone can deliver us no matter the situation or circumstance, and we must confidently believe that God will do it. Our hope (confident expectation) is to be placed in the hands of a sovereign God and the whole of our lives must be left in His hands if we desire soul rest.

III. Soul Rest Comes From Remembering Who God Is. Psalm 62:6 (NIV) He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. a. David says God is our rock. The metaphor of the rock points to God being strong, steadfast, and consistent, immovable for those His people who are in need. A rock perfectly describes the nature of Our God. He is always steady, strong, consistent and immovable in our lives no matter what we may be facing. Nothing else in this world can provide this kind of help, stability and assurance when all else has failed. b. David says that God is our salvation. This includes soul salvation but it goes beyond to the things we need saving from every day. Our lives are filled with things that require God's intervention. We are a very needy people because each day brings it's own problems. The good part is God is right there for us and when we pray casting our cares on Him and then trusting Him to take care of those problems we have soul rest. c. David says God is our fortress. A fortress is any place of exceptional security; a stronghold to protect from the enemy. Our God is the place we are to go when trouble abounds on every hand and the devil is fighting and harassing us. A fortress has walls all around it and that is a perfect metaphor of God's protection that surrounds us.  Psalm 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore. Ps. 125:1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

IV. Soul Rest Comes From Depending On God. Psalm 62:7 (NIV) My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Depend on means to rely or place your trust in. We are to rely and put our trust totally in God for our soul salvation and then He honors us by forgiving us and making us a part of His family. Then We trust God daily for the salvation from all this worlds problems that come against us. David again says God is a mighty rock on whom we can depend. The largest rock in Texas is located at Fredricksburg. It's called “Enchanted Rock.” No amount of man's efforts can move that rock. It's a great metaphor of God. No amount of trouble, no amount of man's or Satan's efforts can move God from protecting and caring for His people. God is our refuge. Refuge means a place of shelter and protection. Where can you go to find a place of shelter and protection like God gives you? When we depend on God alone for our salvation and honor our soul will have rest.

V. Trusting in God At All Times Brings Soul Rest. Psalm 62:8 (NIV) Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Selah) David said because God is all these things he just mentioned, we can trust in Him at all times no matter what the situation or circumstance. We can pour out whatever is on our hearts to Him. Nothing is to big or small for Him to accomplish. Trusting in the arms of God to shelter and protect us can bring us soul rest.

Conclusion: We have a part to play in our soul rest. We must not let our souls become fretful with worry, doubt, or fear. We must find our soul rest in looking to God alone, not looking to any other source for the things we need. We must hope in Him for everything we just read about in these scriptures. According to Isaiah 26:3 NIV “When we keep our mind steadfast, trusting in God He will give us perfect peace.”

Invitation: Are you trusting completely in Jesus alone for your salvation? If not now is the time to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and come into your life and give you life eternal. Then be baptized for a public testimony of you faith in Him.