The psalms from today’s reading give us a peek at David’s heart as he processes his son Absalom’s insurrection. What a variety of moods! One of the themes that stood out to me is David’s use of words about stability. That is interesting—stability in uncertain times! What’s interesting, too, is David used some of these terms when he was on the run from Saul. Terms of stability!
In Psalm 26:12, David speaks of level ground. In Psalm 40:2, David speaks of his feet being put on a rock, which secured or steadied him. He calls God the rock of his salvation in Psalm 62:2, 6–7. He also says that God is his fortress and refuge. All of this speaks of safety and stability. Did David find safety and stability while running from Absalom’s rebellion? Yes!
From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. (Psalm 61:2–3, NLT)
So here is David, on the run from those who want to kill him. He is living in the wilderness. He is finding that he is safe, secure, and untouchable by his enemies. The ground under his soul is solid. Wow! Some people might call this crazy talk—that he is out of his right mind! Oh, and to add a little sting to his enemies, he views them, their scheming and cause, as lighter than a puff of air. He says they are not what they appear to be.
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. (Psalm 62:9, ESV)
Has David forgotten his situation? No! He simply hasn’t forgotten God, though he is in a difficult situation. God is the one who steadied him. God is his rock, fortress, and refuge. God is the stability and level ground when David’s life has been turned upside down! Ultimately, David trusts God to bring everything out right in the end.
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. (Psalm 58:10–11, KJV)
What does this mean for us? Though put simply, yet profound in meaning, we, too, can find stability in uncertainty. However, the stability of one’s soul does not come through anything other than God as our Rock. David said in Psalm 62:1 (NLT) that he waited quietly before God. Then, in Psalm 62:5 (NLT), he said let all that I am wait quietly. In other words, was this easy? No! Yet, he did a hard thing in a hard situation—as he waited quietly before God, he found God to be his stability. Often, it is easy to frantically run about in panic. The “What are we going to do…” eats at the soul’s life and is so easy to get caught up in. All the while, solid ground is right below our feet if we will just slow down and get quiet before God.
Child of God, let’s rejoice in the Rock that is higher than us yet who is also the Rock below our feet! Do you sense that stillness amid uncertainty? That’s our God, our Rock!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Psalms 26; 40; 58; 61-62; 64.