Whether it is the ongoing war in Ukraine, the continued acts of senseless violence or the rising prices of every day needs, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the uncertainty and hardship of our current world.
How should we respond when we are overwhelmed? At times we just need to be reminded of who God is and how we need to respond. These verses from Psalm 62 have been a great encouragement to me. This Psalm was likely written in the midst of Absalom’s rebellion against his father David. David had to flee his home and run for his life. His own son was intent on killing him, and people David had called friends were aiding the rebellion. It is in this setting that he wrote the following verses:
“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”
Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8 ESV
What can we take from these verses? How should we respond in the midst of overwhelming circumstances?
Truly trust in God. David states that he waits for God alone. David reminds himself that only from God will his salvation come. God alone is his rock and his fortress. God is not one of many options when it comes to salvation; He alone is the provider of our salvation. Too often we say that we are trusting in God for rescue and protection; however, our lives show that, in reality, we are truly trusting in our own strength, position, or possessions. Who are we really trusting in when things get tough or are overwhelming? David reminds himself that he needs to truly trust in God alone— not in God plus other things, but trust in Him and Him alone. How do we know if we are truly trusting in God? We will not be easily shaken. We will not be overwhelmed by our circumstances because we have a sure foundation. That does not mean we will not be impacted by our circumstances or hardships; it just means that in the midst of the hardship we can stand strong because God is our foundation. He is the Rock; He is our Fortress. He is faithful and never changing. Know that He offers rescue and rest in the midst of a turbulent world. This does not mean things will be easy, but it does mean that in the midst of all things we can find peace in Him.
Truly pray to God. Pour out your heart to Him. We spend too little time in prayer. I spend too little time in prayer. And too often when I pray, I pray acting as if things are going better than they are. I pray as if I am not struggling. That is not how we need to pray. We need to pour our hearts out, admit our struggles and pain. We need entrust them all to Him. David reminds us that God is a refuge for us. He is ready to hear and to respond. Do not pretend that things are better than they are. Cry out to God; honestly pour your heart before Him. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Even if you are in your current hardship due to a sinful choice or action (as David was when he wrote this), do not let that keep you from crying out to God. Humbly confess, repent, and pour out your heart. God desires a humble spirit.
When we are overwhelmed, in the midst of difficult times, we need to truly trust in God and truly pour out our hearts in prayer. He is ready to listen and respond. He truly is our Rock and our Fortress.
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