Week 27: A mighty fortress in midlife

This week we begin our exploration of the Second Book of Psalms with a guest post from my cousin, Jennifer Donaldson, founder and author at TailorJoy.com. She is going to unpack Psalm 62 for us and show us how to find soul rest in God alone.

As I've moved through the seasons of life, I have come to deeply appreciate the blessings of midlife. There's wisdom that only comes with years, and two of the important lessons have been these: time can be more valuable than money and rest is good for the body and soul.

I used to cut coupons, assemble IKEA furniture with pride, hunt for deals, and cook from scratch. These days, I’ll happily pay for pre-cut carrot chips or a carwash. Not because I can’t, but because I now understand the value of conserving energy for what matters most: peace, people, purpose, and ultimately, God.

In the same way we learn not to spend ourselves on every little task, we also learn to stop spending our emotional and spiritual energy on things that won't last, like people-pleasing, control, or striving to prove ourselves. Psalm 62 brings these lessons into focus with clarity and grace. 

Rest in God Alone

David, possibly in the middle of a major crisis or thinking of a recent one, isn’t scrambling to fix things. He’s not plotting his escape or bargaining his way out. Instead, he waits in silence for God. He declares:

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1 NIV

There’s something deeply comforting about that word rest. Especially for those of us who live in the tension of busy schedules, aging parents, grown kids, and responsibilities that never quite seem to end. David reminds us that we don't need to hustle for peace. We need to trust for it. (The version quoted here is the 1984 NIV that I memorized as a teen and that I quote to myself in the dark of night when I can't sleep.)

He says it again and again:

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62: 2

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:6-7

The world tells us to depend on status, wealth, performance, or power. But David warns us not to trust in those things. Not even the wealth we worked hard to build. 

Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen good; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Psalm 62:10

There’s so much freedom in that. We can enjoy the fruits of our labor, but we don’t need to lean on them. When everything feels unsteady, we don’t have to panic. We’re not the ones holding the world together. This is the wisdom that I grew to appreciate with age. God's got this! I can find rest and peace in this.

One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard; that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. Psalm 62:11-12

Let that settle in your spirit. Power belongs to God. And so does steadfast love. He is not only able, He is kind. He is a loving Father.

A Soul Refuge

In this season of life, I’ve found comfort in letting God deal with things and people that once consumed my mind. The two-faced friend? The injustice I can’t fix? The worries that keep me up? I remind myself: God is my refuge, and He can handle what I can’t. I don’t need to micromanage the world or defend myself against every threat.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 62:8

That verse also makes me think of how we welcome our grown kids home. “Tell me everything,” we say. We want to be a safe place for them to talk, to cry, to breathe, to come home to. God wants that for us, too. He doesn’t ask us to polish our prayers. He invites us to pour them out.

And when we do? We find that we are not alone. We are not without hope. God is not a distant museum relic. He is a mighty fortress. He is our refuge.

This is a favorite psalm I return to time and time again, especially verses 5-8. As David did, I repeat to myself the truths about God. When life feels unsteady, He is steadfast. When people change, fail, or fade, He remains. He is still when everything else is moving. He is safe when the world is uncertain. God can handle anything that is on our hearts and restless minds. Nothing is too big for him. 

Martin Luther wrote of this steadfast God in his hymn of comfort, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. The first verse begins “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.”

So tonight, as you prepare to rest, let this be your final thought: God is with us. He is our rock. Our refuge. Our fortress. Our rest. Our salvation.

He is writing a story in your midlife that you may not see right now. Sometimes we only see the backside of the tapestry with all the tangled stitches, not the front. But He is worthy of your trust. Let your soul find rest in Him alone. Let that be what others see in you.

Daily Readings:

Monday’s Reading: Psalm 62

How do you practically “wait in silence” for God in your daily life? According to Psalm 62, what are the benefits of waiting on God?

Tuesday’s Reading: Psalm 46

A mighty fortress is your God. How does your theology of God affect your perspective on waiting on Him or trusting in Him alone? How is God a refuge in your present challenges?

Wednesday’s Reading: Romans 10:13,  Matthew 11:28, and Philippians 4:6-7

Why are the acts of pouring your hearts out to God in confession and prayer important in your relationship with God? What are the benefits?  

Thursday’s Reading: Psalm 37

Are you a good or poor example of waiting patiently on God? Why does waiting on God feel so difficult or purposeless? How can you combat those ideas with truth from God’s Word?

Friday’s Reading: Proverbs 3:5-7 and Proverbs 11:28

How can you guard your heart against placing trust in wealth or power? In what ways can you encourage others to trust in God like David does in Psalm 62?

Weekend Reading: Go back and read Psalm 62 again.

“Find rest, oh my soul, in God alone.” Do you need to make any changes to find rest during this midlife season?

Want to read more Bible verses about salvation? Here's a good place to start:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html