Perspectives

I will not be shaken

By Jon Allen
Posted 3/10/22

It seems every time I have the privilege of writing the Perspectives article, something significant has recently happened in our world. Now I’m certain that it’s not as often as I …

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Perspectives

I will not be shaken

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It seems every time I have the privilege of writing the Perspectives article, something significant has recently happened in our world. Now I’m certain that it’s not as often as I remember, but it does seem relatively often.

We recently lost two young lives that impacted not only their family but a couple of communities that care and love them deeply. Then we have discouraging news from across the world with Russia invading Ukraine. This is just the latest in a long series of struggles dating back to, well, the beginning of time on this earth.  

It’s easy to be shaken by the events around us personally, locally and globally. So, where do we find rest and where do we find peace and hope?

Let’s remember a time in King David’s life when he was in dire straits. He was being hunted down. He was running for his very life. He had been lied about and cursed and was in extreme danger. What was his response? Where did he find strength and how did he stand steadfast? Why was he not shaken?

In Psalm 62:1-2 we find the answer, as we hear his prayer to God. King David writes, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken.”  

David continues with the source of his struggles as he says, “How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down — this leaning wall, this tottering fence.”

This was a personal attack. It was a personal struggle that could have shaken him to his very core. And yet it didn’t.

We hear again in verses five through eight about David’s hope: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God, he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Notice, if you will, the words repeated in David’s assurances. God is David’s fortress and refuge four times. We see the word rock three times referring to God. David shares that he finds rest in God twice. And, most importantly, David says of God that He is his salvation two times.

God was David’s safe place. He was his strength, hope and peace because David knew of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty. He was also secure in God’s love and care for him. This is the type of hope we need in these crazy times. We need a fortress and a refuge, a place to protect us from the struggles around us. And God is there for us now as he was for David then!

Look, again, with me at verse eight. This is how we find our refuge. First, we trust in God. He gave his life on the cross and was raised three days later to save us. He saved us from our sins. We can trust him.

We can also pour our hearts out to him because he cares. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you.” And when we trust him and pour our hearts out to him, he becomes our refuge, our help, our fortress, our rock and our salvation.

I will not be shaken. I don’t know about you, but that is just the hope I need in these uncertain days.

 

(Jon Allen is an associate pastor at Grace Point in Powell.)

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