Leaning on the Rock
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD Himself, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:3, 4 NIV
The word “steadfast”, interpreted “stayed” in the ESV version of Isaiah 26:3, is from a term that means “to lean, to rest, to support.” Someone who is steadfast is steady because she is leaning on something that is supporting her. The person described in Isaiah 26:3, 4 experiences peace because she is leaning on the Lord, her Rock. Peace roots in her heart as she trusts Him as her Rock, Rest, Rescue, and Refuge.
Her mind receives support from consistently leaning on the same Rock that David trusts to steady him in the dark places of betrayal. After David repeatedly declares his absolute trust in God as his salvation, he warns readers to beware of depending on anything else for safety:
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. 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. Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
Psalm 62:8-10 ESV
Are you restless, longing for peace, but finding only more restlessness? Is it possible that you are looking for peace in the wrong places? David warns us that people will let us down and riches are fleeting. Place this warning into a contemporary setting.
Looking for peace through alcohol, over-the-counter pain medication, emotional and physical adultery, physical fitness, pornography, friendships, children, status, health – all of these are “lighter than breath.” None of them are permanent. David had access to everything man could want, power, riches, women, status, warriors, and kingdoms. But he found no peace in any of them. At the end of his life, he offers his experiences as a gift to us. We can practice trusting God through a personal relationship with Jesus as our only salvation. Our minds can be steadfast as they lean on Him, our Rock.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
How do we practice this discipline of leaning on God as our Rock? This morning I woke early, my heart was troubled. So many people I love are hurting and there is little I can do to fix their shattered hearts. This was a place to declare God as my Rock and salvation, the only One Who could bring peace to these broken people. I began to pray:
Oh Lord, on You alone my soul waits in silence; from You comes my salvation. You alone are my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
Lord, I fix my mind on You as the only source of peace. I rest on You, the Rock, and my salvation. You are my refuge. I refuse to be greatly shaken, and hopeless in the face of these broken places. Show me how to walk a steady path and be a source of Your strength. May my confidence in You flow out to each of these loved ones.
Ironically, as I prayed these words, thoughts of actions I could take to offer help and hope to specific people came to mind. They appeared insignificant, a drop in an ocean of pain. Yet, I know the Lord, my Rock, Rest, Rescue, and Refuge was whispering in my ear, “Trust me.”
Practice the discipline of declaring each morning, “Lord, You are my Rock, Rest, Rescue, and Refuge. Steady me as I fix my mind on You and trust You to plant deep peace in my heart no matter what today brings.”
More free resources for help, hope, & healing:
Treasures of Encouragement, Women Helping Women
By Sharon W. Betters
Treasuresofencouragement.org Learn how God sends treasures of encouragement to help turn hearts toward Jesus and how the beauty, privilege, and power of biblical encouragement is a means to invite others to trust the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in the mundane moments and especially in the broken places of life. Free supplemental resources.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Thursday, 12 October 2023.
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