Psalm 116:7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.

It is an interesting stylistic convention that so many of the Psalmists addressed their souls like this. We don’t know who this writer was, but he had good company, with David and several others doing the same thing. Actually, just about everyone talks to themselves at times, and this particular way of doing it makes sense. The soul is the seat of emotions, and sometimes it needs a good talking to! We can have a clear, objective understanding that God is in control and His plans are good, and yet still be in turmoil inside. This writer is reminding his emotional self that there’s no need for that. It’s interesting that the Japanese specifies “complete rest.” The terminology used is the same as that in Psalm 23, which should clarify the image for most people. The problem with our staying in that condition of complete rest is that we focus on our problems or on our own abilities, and human logic gives us every reason to panic! Faith is not blind, but it looks beyond the merely visible to the God who is above and beyond and beneath it all. The writer here is reminding his emotional self of what God has done in the past in order to have calm expectation of God’s good actions in the future. We would all do well to ask the Lord to open our eyes to see all that He has already done for us, so that we too may have perfect rest as we anticipate the future.

It’s been several years now since the Lord told me clearly to rest, relax, and rejoice. I’ve had plenty of reason to remind myself of that in the years since! A fundamental characteristic of faith is that it grows by use. Each time we choose to exercise faith and trust God makes it easier to do the next time. As a pastor I say that to people often, but I’ve got to remember it myself. The devil never lets up in his attacks, and God allows that because He knows the blessings we will gain if we will only exercise the faith we already have. Not only does our faith grow, our understanding of and fellowship with the God who gives us that faith grows and deepens. That’s certainly worth putting out some effort to achieve!

Father, thank You for never putting me in any situation that is beyond the faith You have given me. Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way, but when I choose to trust You, the faith is there. I ask for wisdom to relate to each of the people to whom I minister. May I not make demands of them, or come across like I am, but may I encourage them to exercise the faith You have given them so that they may receive more in abundance, to walk in all the blessings that You have prepared for them, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!