Michelle Spomer, Donald G. Miller Librarian and Director of the Clifford E. Barbour Library

Scripture

Psalm 62

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; 
          from him comes my salvation. 
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, 
          my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
3 How long will you assail a person, 
          will you batter your victim, all of you, 
          as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 
4 Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. 
          They take pleasure in falsehood; 
     they bless with their mouths, 
          but inwardly they curse. 
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, 
          for my hope is from him. 
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, 
          my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; 
          my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; 
          pour out your heart before him; 
          God is a refuge for us. 
9 Those of low estate are but a breath, 
          those of high estate are a delusion; 
     in the balances they go up; 
          they are together lighter than a breath. 
10 Put no confidence in extortion, 
          and set no vain hopes on robbery; 
          if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken; 
          twice have I heard this: 
     that power belongs to God, 
12  and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. 
     For you repay to all 
          according to their work.

Devotional

It is both amazing and discouraging that some things just don’t change when it comes to human nature. Slander? Lies? Extortion? Greed? All these vices existed hundreds and hundreds of years ago just as they exist today. While this note may sound a bit dire, be assured that there has always been another constant—God’s presence in our lives.

Throughout Psalm 62, the descriptions of humanity’s shortcomings are surrounded by affirmations of God’s strength, shelter, and trustworthiness. The trick is to be deliberate about recognizing God’s presence and what God wants to be for us in our day-to-day struggles.

Take refuge in God. Try carving out some time for your soul to “wait in silence.” Create space so that you can “pour out your heart” before God. There are no better ways to anticipate and prepare for Christ’s coming this Advent season.

Prayer

Lord, my soul waits in silence. You alone are my rock, my salvation, my fortress. My refuge is in you, and I trust in your power and steadfast love. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

Michelle Spomer, Donald G. Miller Librarian and Director of the Clifford E. Barbour Library

Scripture

Psalm 62

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; 
          from him comes my salvation. 
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, 
          my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
3 How long will you assail a person, 
          will you batter your victim, all of you, 
          as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 
4 Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. 
          They take pleasure in falsehood; 
     they bless with their mouths, 
          but inwardly they curse. 
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, 
          for my hope is from him. 
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, 
          my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; 
          my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; 
          pour out your heart before him; 
          God is a refuge for us. 
9 Those of low estate are but a breath, 
          those of high estate are a delusion; 
     in the balances they go up; 
          they are together lighter than a breath. 
10 Put no confidence in extortion, 
          and set no vain hopes on robbery; 
          if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken; 
          twice have I heard this: 
     that power belongs to God, 
12  and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. 
     For you repay to all 
          according to their work.

Devotional

It is both amazing and discouraging that some things just don’t change when it comes to human nature. Slander? Lies? Extortion? Greed? All these vices existed hundreds and hundreds of years ago just as they exist today. While this note may sound a bit dire, be assured that there has always been another constant—God’s presence in our lives.

Throughout Psalm 62, the descriptions of humanity’s shortcomings are surrounded by affirmations of God’s strength, shelter, and trustworthiness. The trick is to be deliberate about recognizing God’s presence and what God wants to be for us in our day-to-day struggles.

Take refuge in God. Try carving out some time for your soul to “wait in silence.” Create space so that you can “pour out your heart” before God. There are no better ways to anticipate and prepare for Christ’s coming this Advent season.

Prayer

Lord, my soul waits in silence. You alone are my rock, my salvation, my fortress. My refuge is in you, and I trust in your power and steadfast love. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.