He alone is my Rock and my Salvation

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from him.

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.

Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your hearts to him,

for God is our refuge.

-Psalm 62:5-8

This psalm says it all. In times of trouble or weakness, we can trust God and know that He will protect and provide for us. (Psalm 37:39 also says, "The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.") And one of the reasons why we can trust Him so absolutely is because he is so constant and eternal; He never changes or goes away. Even His Name proclaims this truth: I AM.

Being the studious person that I am, when I consider God's constancy, I always think of constants in algebra. In an algebraic equation, a constant is a number like three or one-half. It's used to do stuff to the variable- basically, to change the value of x, giving you y. You can do some pretty crazy stuff with constants and variables. You can make complicated equations whose solutions take up entire whiteboards, and you can dress them up in all sorts of mathematical clothing- radicals, exponents, whatever. You can add, subtract, multiply, and divide them with the variable; but through it all, the constant never changes. That's why they're called constants. The only time a constant changes in algebra is when it comes in contact with another constant- but since our God, I AM, is the only true God, that would be never. The only thing that changes is the variable... us.

Take a moment and think about that. The reason why I went on that tangent was to show that no matter what crazy things happen, our Father in Heaven doesn't change. He's not going anywhere. You can always rely on Him, and trust that He'll come through for you. And- now this is a big "and"- He will always tell you what you need to hear in order to get your life straight. He lovingly corrects us, making our paths straight; all that's left for us to do is obey, and thus not to stumble over the obstacles which we ourselves put in the way.

Can you say all that of anyone on Earth? Let's face it: people aren't constant, and they aren't always reliable. They tend to be a negative influence more than they correct and discipline us, and they certainly can't be there for us in every situation. There are some things which you just can't look to people or the world for in a tumultuous time; they're simply incapable of giving you what you need, although you may still try to find it in them. That's why He alone is my Rock and my Salvation, verse 6. What you desperately need to be happy, to have a "good life," is God. He is the only thing that will ever satisfy your heart. In Him is the only place you'll find joy, peace, grace, perfect love, and life.

You won't find it in books, movies or TV. You won't find it in the "In" crowd, popularity, or the praise and acceptance of men and women. You won't find it in sex, alcohol, drugs, or money. You won't find it in worldy knowledge, a college degree, a comfortable salary, or the latest scientific discoveries. You won't find it in a boyfriend or girlfriend, and you won't ever find it in yourself. These things will give you satisfaction and considerable contentment... but only for a short time. Then trouble comes, and who's there to save you? What use are success and popularity when you're lying on your deathbed? Is money going to protect you when you're caught in the claws of depression, or when Satan comes knocking?

I will say it again: What you desperately need to be happy, to have a "good life," is God. He is the only thing that will ever satisfy your heart. In Him is the only place you'll find joy, peace, grace, perfect love, and life.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.