Text:

"1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood.  They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. 5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. 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 trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.  For you will render to a man according to his work."

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Lexicon:

vs. 1 - waits in silence (duwmiyah) - "still waiting, trust, silent expectation, confidence placed in God, confident waiting"

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vs. 1 - from him comes my salvation (yeshuw'ah) - "deliverance, victory, safety, help, welfare"

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vs. 2 - fortress (misgab) - "high place, refuge, secure height, a retreat, stronghold, a lofty and inaccessible place, a cliff, a rock"

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vs. 2 - shaken (mowt) - "to totter, shake, slip, to be moved, to be overthrown, to be dislodged, to waver"

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vs. 4 - take pleasure (ratsah) - "to be delighted, to satisfy, to be determined"

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vs. 4 - curse (qalal) - "to make despicable, to be trifling, to treat with contempt, to dishonor, to shake, to move to and fro"

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vs. 5 - hope (tiqvah) - "a cord or rope of attachment, expectation, outcome"

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vs. 8 - trust (batach) - "to hie for refuge, to be bold, to be secure, to have confidence in, to feel safe, to be careless, to set one's hope or confidence on anyone, to fear nothing for oneself, to throw oneself or one's cares on anyone"

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vs. 8 - all times ('eth) - "at this time, now, due season, a happy time, an unhappy time, an opportunity, at every time, at every season"

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vs. 8 - pour out (shaphak) - "to spill, to sprawl out, to gush out, to pour out one's soul, profusely expended"

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vs. 8 - refuge (machaceh) - "shelter from rain or storm, shelter from danger, hope, trust, the person to whom one flees"

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vs. 10 - set not (shiyth) - "to fix, to set mind to, to take one's stand, to appoint, to consider, to arrange, to turn to, to prepare for anyone"

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vs. 11 - power ('oz) - "might, strength, firmness (defense, refuge, protection), splendor, majesty, boldness"

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vs. 12 - render (shalam) - "to be in a covenant of peace, to be complete or finished, to be sound, to make peace with, to make whole or good, to restore, to be requited, to make restitution, to be safe, to make amends"

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vs. 12 - according to his work (ma'aseh) - "action, transaction, work of Jehovah"

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What does this reveal about God's character?

God is our salvation, rock and refuge.  He is a safe place for us to turn to at all times, through the good and the bad, the happy and the unhappy. Not only does He provide a place of refuge for us, but He defends us.  Power belongs to Him, and salvation is through Him.  We can freely and carelessly hope in Him and place our trust in Him.  God restores and makes whole.  He makes restitution for our souls through Jesus.  We are made complete by Him, in Him, through Him and for Him.  

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Questions:

1) How do I wait?  Do I grumble or complain?  Do I keep myself busy?  Do I plow through and refuse to wait?  Or do I wait silently, expectantly?

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2) What, if anything, do I take refuge in other than God?  My house, belongings, status, wealth, kids, spouse, friends, career, ministry?  Where do I run?

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3) Am I burdened by the cares in my life?  If so, why haven't I laid those cares on God?  

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4) It's much easier to say I trust God when things are going well and I'm happy, but what happens to that trust when things fall apart?  Does my trust fall away, too?  Or do I cling even tighter to Jesus to see me through?

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5) Do I pour myself out before God?  If not, what is keeping me from doing so?  Is it pride or fear or anger toward God?  Or maybe a general distrust of God?  

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Prayer:

Father God, I thank you for your salvation through Jesus Christ.  You reconciled us through your Son, to make us whole and complete in you once again.  I thank you for being my refuge and fortress.  Please strengthen me to take shelter in you and you alone.  Show me when I choose to rest in things outside of you.  Lord, forgive me for the times I don't wait well, which are more often than I'd care to admit.  Teach me to wait in silent expectation, knowing that you've got everything under control and I have no need to fear.  Convict me when I grumble and complain or busy myself with unnecessary things in the waiting.  Correct me when I choose to plow ahead of you and foolishly refuse to wait.  Soften my heart to trust in you and to cast all my cares on you.  I ask you to give me steadfast resolve to trust in you during the harsh times and the happy times.  Remind me of your mighty works and strong hand. Please continue to teach me how to lean on you and put all confidence in your great name, which saves my very soul.  Lord, I pour myself out before you as a living sacrifice. Make yourself real to me.  Break down the walls around my heart that I've built trying to keep you out of certain places in my life.  Keep my heart softened toward you.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!