Week 8
Psalm 62: Hope
Ever had those moments of shaky hands, heart beating just a little too hard, and the world starts closing in becoming uncomfortably small? I’ve been there several times in my life but the most memorable moment has to be from 2018 - the year I consider when I became a legit adult able to stand on my own.
My husband has been in a battle with his mental health for years and twice has had to seek help. When that happens I’m left holding our family together completely unsure of what our future will hold. It has felt like any and all weapons have been fired at me as a wife and mother. At one point the strength and very existence of my faith was questioned. Would I be strong enough to weather this storm and the next? Could I hold it together for my children? Would I be strong enough to support my husband through the horrible journey he’ll be on the rest of his life? But the one that really got me, and honestly changed my life, “Sunni, it might be too religious for you but you might have to pray to get through this.” Ouch.
I am not loud or showy in my faith but I remember a wave of calmness before I firmly responded that my faith was rock solid. It might not be their idea of what faith should look like but there is nothing weak about my trust in God. In that moment God had quieted my soul and reassured me I knew within myself that He is my rock. We’re good.
How does that line up with Psalm 62? David’s enemies were seeking to ruin him. They’re “supporting” him all while plotting against him. Was this person plotting or trying to ruin me? No, I don’t think so but in their support they were also directly questioning my foundation in God. In the Psalm, David knows where his strength comes from. He’s able to remain calm and confident in God’s plan. He wouldn’t be shaken. In fact, he’s so relaxed in his faith he even encourages those around him to take refuge in the Lord!
In that conversation I found myself calm and unshaken - my soul was quiet. I live my life confident we will come through any challenge we face. We will hold. We will stand. That knowledge sparks an incredibly deep emotion of hope. We can keep going because hope is woven into the foundation we’ve built our lives on - Jesus Christ.
Job 11:18 - And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.
My husband has been in a battle with his mental health for years and twice has had to seek help. When that happens I’m left holding our family together completely unsure of what our future will hold. It has felt like any and all weapons have been fired at me as a wife and mother. At one point the strength and very existence of my faith was questioned. Would I be strong enough to weather this storm and the next? Could I hold it together for my children? Would I be strong enough to support my husband through the horrible journey he’ll be on the rest of his life? But the one that really got me, and honestly changed my life, “Sunni, it might be too religious for you but you might have to pray to get through this.” Ouch.
I am not loud or showy in my faith but I remember a wave of calmness before I firmly responded that my faith was rock solid. It might not be their idea of what faith should look like but there is nothing weak about my trust in God. In that moment God had quieted my soul and reassured me I knew within myself that He is my rock. We’re good.
How does that line up with Psalm 62? David’s enemies were seeking to ruin him. They’re “supporting” him all while plotting against him. Was this person plotting or trying to ruin me? No, I don’t think so but in their support they were also directly questioning my foundation in God. In the Psalm, David knows where his strength comes from. He’s able to remain calm and confident in God’s plan. He wouldn’t be shaken. In fact, he’s so relaxed in his faith he even encourages those around him to take refuge in the Lord!
In that conversation I found myself calm and unshaken - my soul was quiet. I live my life confident we will come through any challenge we face. We will hold. We will stand. That knowledge sparks an incredibly deep emotion of hope. We can keep going because hope is woven into the foundation we’ve built our lives on - Jesus Christ.
Job 11:18 - And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.
Join the group for some fantastic discussion!
Posted in Praying the Psalms