The Advent of Christ - Finding Peace Through Trusting God Alone
Finding Peace Through Trusting God Alone
By Samantha Satchell-Smith
“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.” Psalm 62:5-6
The psalms are a collection of “sacred songs or poems” meant to be sung. According to Rabbinic literature, another title for this book of the Old Testament, perhaps one of my favorites that I have come across, is the title “Songs of Praise.”
The act of praise in the Bible can look like many things according to one author: acknowledging God’s deeds - expressing gratitude for God’s goodness and the wonderful things He has done. Lifting up God’s name - making God’s name known and exalting him. Rejoicing in God. Giving Him thanks or an outward communication of actions proclaiming who God is and what He has done. In the Bible, we are commanded to praise God, and the Book of Psalms is full of a range of moods and expressions of faith, from bitter protest to solemn hymns and joyous celebrations, especially praise for the Lord.
When we praise the Lord, we step away from focusing on ourselves and focus on the one who brings peace. As I shared before, there are many forms of praise, and in Psalm 62:5-6 we see David provide an outward expression of God’s goodness: “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.”
In this Psalm, the author talks about finding peace through trusting in God alone. He carries a reliance on God’s strength and protection in many areas of life, but in particular during times of difficulty. In doing so, we experience an inner peace despite the chaos and turmoil we may find in the world we know today. The kind of peace we find in Jesus differs from the kind of peace that the world offers us. It is not dependent upon external circumstances. Peace, if I am being completely honest, is not something we fully understand or comprehend.
Despite the limited understanding we can have of this offering, as we walk through this season of Advent, I invite you to consider the gift of Peace that we are offered through Christ. When we invite Jesus into our hearts and fully trust in God’s plan and sovereignty, especially when life feels chaotic, and let go of worry, we rest not on our own strength and abilities but in God’s peace.
If you are anything like me, the holiday season is full of complex feelings and emotions. Joy and excitement met with anxiety, frustration, fear, and worry. Joy in celebrating Christ Jesus’ birth, excitement for the tree, and the possibility of a “white” Christmas. Anxiety about getting my work done so I can focus on the family when the time comes, frustration about the commercialization of the holiday, fear that I won't be able to afford presents this year, and worry that the gifts I’m able to give will not be right...All things of this world. And if I am perfectly honest, PEACE is not necessarily a word that comes to mind immediately.
And yet, PEACE is what this season is all about. When we rest in God alone and recognize him as our “salvation,” our “rock, “the cornerstone” of our life, and with that, if we allow ourselves, we will find a sense of contentment and peace.
Psalm 62:5 invites us to “wait in silence”. As one author asked, what does it mean to wait in silence before God? In your life, what does quieting your mind and heart to focus solely on God’s Word and his presence look like? What situations in your life might tempt you to seek peace from sources other than God? How can you shift to seeking peace in Him instead of the world this holiday season?
I invite you to pause with me and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to settle into a quiet space. As you do so, I encourage you to reflect on the image that provides a sense of security and protection.
Read Psalm 46:10. As you do so, end the scripture one word earlier each time. Between each iteration, I encourage you to take a deep breath and settle further into the PEACE and quiet of the moment. Feel the air filling your lungs and hold for a moment before you release and empty your belly fully.
Psalm 46:10 says:
“Be still and know that I am God.”
“Be still and know that I am.”
“Be still and know that I.”
“Be still and know that.”
“Be still and know.”
“Be still and.”
“Be still.”
“Be.”
The psalms are a collection of “sacred songs or poems” meant to be sung. According to Rabbinic literature, another title for this book of the Old Testament, perhaps one of my favorites that I have come across, is the title “Songs of Praise.”
The act of praise in the Bible can look like many things according to one author: acknowledging God’s deeds - expressing gratitude for God’s goodness and the wonderful things He has done. Lifting up God’s name - making God’s name known and exalting him. Rejoicing in God. Giving Him thanks or an outward communication of actions proclaiming who God is and what He has done. In the Bible, we are commanded to praise God, and the Book of Psalms is full of a range of moods and expressions of faith, from bitter protest to solemn hymns and joyous celebrations, especially praise for the Lord.
When we praise the Lord, we step away from focusing on ourselves and focus on the one who brings peace. As I shared before, there are many forms of praise, and in Psalm 62:5-6 we see David provide an outward expression of God’s goodness: “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.”
In this Psalm, the author talks about finding peace through trusting in God alone. He carries a reliance on God’s strength and protection in many areas of life, but in particular during times of difficulty. In doing so, we experience an inner peace despite the chaos and turmoil we may find in the world we know today. The kind of peace we find in Jesus differs from the kind of peace that the world offers us. It is not dependent upon external circumstances. Peace, if I am being completely honest, is not something we fully understand or comprehend.
Despite the limited understanding we can have of this offering, as we walk through this season of Advent, I invite you to consider the gift of Peace that we are offered through Christ. When we invite Jesus into our hearts and fully trust in God’s plan and sovereignty, especially when life feels chaotic, and let go of worry, we rest not on our own strength and abilities but in God’s peace.
If you are anything like me, the holiday season is full of complex feelings and emotions. Joy and excitement met with anxiety, frustration, fear, and worry. Joy in celebrating Christ Jesus’ birth, excitement for the tree, and the possibility of a “white” Christmas. Anxiety about getting my work done so I can focus on the family when the time comes, frustration about the commercialization of the holiday, fear that I won't be able to afford presents this year, and worry that the gifts I’m able to give will not be right...All things of this world. And if I am perfectly honest, PEACE is not necessarily a word that comes to mind immediately.
And yet, PEACE is what this season is all about. When we rest in God alone and recognize him as our “salvation,” our “rock, “the cornerstone” of our life, and with that, if we allow ourselves, we will find a sense of contentment and peace.
Psalm 62:5 invites us to “wait in silence”. As one author asked, what does it mean to wait in silence before God? In your life, what does quieting your mind and heart to focus solely on God’s Word and his presence look like? What situations in your life might tempt you to seek peace from sources other than God? How can you shift to seeking peace in Him instead of the world this holiday season?
I invite you to pause with me and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to settle into a quiet space. As you do so, I encourage you to reflect on the image that provides a sense of security and protection.
Read Psalm 46:10. As you do so, end the scripture one word earlier each time. Between each iteration, I encourage you to take a deep breath and settle further into the PEACE and quiet of the moment. Feel the air filling your lungs and hold for a moment before you release and empty your belly fully.
Psalm 46:10 says:
“Be still and know that I am God.”
“Be still and know that I am.”
“Be still and know that I.”
“Be still and know that.”
“Be still and know.”
“Be still and.”
“Be still.”
“Be.”
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