Like the rest of the world, my family has dealt with the “crud” since before Christmas. It was a full blown assault on the sinuses, throat, and chest for a week, and when that passed, all that was left was the cough. The cough decided to extend its visit and take up residency in our lungs. For weeks, my husband and I have shared a nightcap of NyQuil at bedtime and laid our heads on our pillows and hoped it would work. Many nights, rest only came in between fits of coughing. I have, however, perfected the art of sleeping upright with my head elevated on two pillows and a cough drop lodged between my cheek and my gums. Oy!

David’s psalm really resonated with me this morning as the cough is finally waning and rest has returned. He speaks of finding rest in God only, and I can relate. Rest in this context is a complete cessation of the mental and emotional turmoil that agitates us to the point that it prevents any real rejuvenation of the mind and soul.

Have you ever had a night/week/month like that?

Psalm 62 (Common English Bible)

Oh, I must find rest in God only,
    because my hope comes from him!
⁶ Only God is my rock and my salvation—
    my stronghold!—I will not be shaken.
⁷ My deliverance and glory depend on God.
    God is my strong rock.
    My refuge is in God.
⁸ All you people: Trust in him at all times!
    Pour out your hearts before him!
    God is our refuge! Selah

Right off the bat we see a connection between rest and hope. I think that is important. In those middle of the night awakenings, when we mull over problems, offenses, despair, grief, and grievances, hope has remained asleep and does not assert itself to say, “Enough! We will sort this out tomorrow.”

Hope reminds us that God is our rock and salvation. Hope tells us we will not be shaken. Hope proclaims that God is our refuge, and we can trust that!

⁹ Human beings are nothing but a breath.
    Human beings are nothing but lies.
    They don’t even register on a scale;
    taken all together they are lighter than a breath!
¹⁰ Don’t trust in violence;
    don’t set false hopes in robbery.
When wealth bears fruit,
    don’t set your heart on it.

David reminds us that people do not deserve the trust that God does, and in the end, God is the only one we can count on. David rebukes his enemies and says that when we take matters into our own hands it often does not work out well. The only thing we should set our hearts on is God’s strength.

¹¹ God has spoken one thing—
    make it two things—
    that I myself have heard:
    that strength belongs to God,
¹²     and faithful love comes from you, my Lord—
    and that you will repay
    everyone according to their deeds.

There is something charming and conversational in verse 11 where David says, “God has spoken one thing … make that two things…” That made me smile, as it sounds like a middle schooler urgently making a case on why they should be allowed to do something. There is a familiar humanity to that way of speaking. Indeed, David is trying to persuade us that God is our strength and faithful love. That deserves a second try!

Is God your rock? Do you have hope? Are you tired and need the kind of rest that can only be found in God? When you lay your head on the pillow tonight, give it all over to him and dwell in his hope. If you can do that, I bet you’ll find peace.

Refuge by Wende Pritchard