Psalm 62-63: Everything You Need

You can tell a lot about a person from the music they listen to. Just look at the success of Desert Island Discs- hundreds of celebrities and writers appear on this long-running Radio 4 show to share their top 8 albums with the world. Perhaps we find it comforting that they take solace in the same symphonies as we do; that they sing in the shower to the same Beatles tracks. Anthony Grayling, famous philosopher and writer, is this week's guest. His chosen track list is suitably intellectual, with only one non-classical piece (which, hearteningly, is by The Kinks). And there is a sense that we judge people by the music they listen to.

Music is beautiful in its variety, and sometimes is able to express the emotions of our very souls. In this sense, it does reveal a piece of our heart. So do all our other hobbies and pursuits. Whatever we choose to invest money and time in will inevitably reflect our priorities. As a Christian, it is a real struggle not to fall into the 'Desert Island Disc' trap, of seeking solace from today's busy world in beautiful music... relationships... shopping... entertainment. None of these things are bad in essence, but as a Christian, my real delight and solace should be in God.

'My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.' -Psalm 62:1

How many Christians can identify with me in saying, I got part b but not part a of that verse! It's one thing to receive salvation from God; quite another to find rest in Him alone. I'm more likely to find rest in God AND my marriage, or my family, or my job... The list goes on.

And yet, these two phrases are logically linked. If you've found salvation in God, and you cannot find it anywhere else, why look anywhere else for satisfaction? The Psalmist David points out that God is a Rock; He is always there and always faithful, and so he says:
'Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.' (Ps 62:8)

Times of pressure and trouble should turn us towards God and increase our dependence on Him, not push us away into our desert island sanctuary, whatever shape or form that may take. It's all too easy to set your heart on riches (Ps 62:10), but we need to avoid depending on material things for happiness and satisfaction. They simply draw us away from the only source of full and complete satisfaction: God. He is 'strong' and 'loving' (Ps 62:11), and His character is worth delighting in and seeking.

'Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You...
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods...
My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.' -Psalm 63:3, 5, 8)