Month: March 2021

To you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.For you will render to a manaccording to his work. Psalms 62:12 (ESV) The idea that God will render to each one according to their works should not induce fear but rather gratefulness for those who follow Jesus. In this world, the principle that one receives what is just for their actions does not apply so well. Instead, the wicked and the negligent often prosper and get to enjoy the “good” things of life; even in ministry those who compromise often rise to popularity. And the virtuous are often marginalized, scorned and rejected. They may struggle financially all their lives and even find themselves unwanted in vocational ministry. God encourages us by promising to honor us according to our work. He will reward virtue and he will not honor vice. “Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, Continue Reading →

For God alone my soul waits in silence; From him comes my salvation . . . For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, For my hope is from him. Psalm 62: 1, 5 (ESV) In these verses from Psalm 62 the psalmist recognizes that he needs to wait in silence for his deliverance (vv. 3-4). He recognizes that his future, his hope, comes from God and that this is not the time to be inwardly frantic or devising plans for overcoming his trials. God will act because the psalmist has chosen to rest his soul from his own efforts and depend on God. This practice of calming and silencing one’s soul while one remains in a receptive stance before God has traditionally been referred to as contemplation. This is in contrast to meditation in which one uses reasoning and imagination to actively gain a greater understanding of God Continue Reading →