Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 20 January 2015 - Scripture: Psalm 62:5-12

Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 20 January 2015 - Scripture: Psalm 62:5 Only God gives inward peace,
    and I depend on him.
6 God alone is the mighty rock
    that keeps me safe,
    and he is the fortress
    where I feel secure.
7 God saves me and honors me.
    He is that mighty rock
    where I find safety.
8 Trust God, my friends,
    and always tell him
each one of your concerns.
    God is our place of safety.
9 We humans are only a breath;
    none of us are truly great.
All of us together weigh less
    than a puff of air.
10 Don’t trust in violence
or depend on dishonesty
    or rely on great wealth.
11 I heard God say two things:
    “I am powerful,
12     and I am very kind.”
The Lord rewards each of us
    according to what we do.(Contemporary English Version)
Crises happen. Like the prophets, we may undergo crises when God calls us to do something unwanted, unexpected or for which we feel unqualified. We all face people who criticize, misrepresent or harm us. Many of us have unexpected financial challenges. We lose loved ones, encounter illness, grow old, experience disabilities and die. People unjustly suffer crises of poverty, violence, exclusion, discrimination or oppression.
Amidst any crisis, the psalmist claims a "silence" of soul-comforting deep peace beyond understanding and unshakable hope. Speaking initially for himself, he then calls his community to trust in God alone—not in status, which carries less weight than breath; not in other people, who will fail us; and not in finances or resources, which can vanish. How is absolute trust in God possible? It is possible because trust's foundation is the honest, unfailing promise that power belongs to God who steadfastly loves all people.
Loving God, we humbly come to you, our mighty rock and unfailing refuge. Forgive us when we become fearful in crises or complacent in daily life and trust in others, the things of this world, or ourselves rather than in you. Thank you for your steadfast love, the foundation of our trust. Help us unite with Christians in always and only relying on you. Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark
Redeemer's Ministry Team
& Adjunct Instructor, Social Work, Augsburg College
Minneapolis, Minn. 
Master of Arts in Theology/Master of Social Work , 2007
Psalm 62:5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Selah)
9 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.
10 Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.(New Revised Standard Version)
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