Psalm 62:1-2 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken.

The Japanese is interestingly different from the NIV in the first line, but either translation is edifying. The Japanese says, “My soul is quiet, and simply waits in hope for God.” Thinking back over other passages that use similar terminology to the two translations, I would guess that the original is something along the lines of, “My soul stops striving, and just waits in hope for God.” Any of those translations is a good way to be! Here David is stating fact, but then in verses 5-6 he restates this truth as a command to himself. We all need to be reminded from time to time of the truths we know. This Psalm as a whole made me think of Donald Trump. He is no David, but verses 3-4 and 9-10 certainly seem to describe his opposition. Recently he has made some public statements that seem to echo verse 8, and that is very encouraging. The world is a complex place, and human intellect alone certainly can’t keep things straight. If he will take this Psalm to heart, he and the nation will be on a good course.

I can certainly identify with the need to remind myself of truths I already know. I’ve lost track of how many dozens of times I’ve read through the Bible, and I still read it daily. Each time, the Lord brings truth to my attention, and sometimes it’s really like a light goes on. I am never to think I’ve “got it all down,” because there is always more depth, more power, in God’s Word than I have previously grasped. I need to continue to pour myself into the intimate, personal relationship with God that David had, not allowing myself to think I’m above any of His rules the way David did one time to his great loss. I am to remember that I am nothing in myself, but God can use me for absolutely anything.

Father, thank You for this reminder, that illustrates the very thing You are saying to me! Help me indeed live out the truth You have planted in my heart, so that I won’t deceive myself. (James 1:22) Thank You for the blessings of yesterday, and for getting us through the packed schedule. I ask for guidance and strength again for today, as I drive a rented truck to pick up more things for the bazaar. There are many things on the schedule for the days and weeks ahead. Help me indeed stop striving and wait expectantly for what You are going to do, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!