Seeking, Surrendering, and Rest
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12, 13 ESV
Dear Friends,
We are camped out in Psalm 62 and the longer we stay, the more treasures we discover. David writes Psalm 62, The Only Psalm, in the context of a hard lived life. King David, anointed by God, is a Warrior King. Follow his life and you wonder at the constant conflicts, broken relationships, and terrible fears he experienced. He ran for his life more than once, one time pretending to be insane as a means of hiding from his enemies. God holds nothing back in describing his life. He was an adulterer of the worst kind. He could never say, “I didn’t mean for this to happen. It just did.” In this “ME TOO” culture, David would be one of the first to fall. He abused his power and victimized Bathsheba. David intentionally took another man’s wife, but not just any man. He robbed Uriah, one of his faithful fighting men. David abused Uriah’s wife, he plotted murder, and succeeded in killing this faithful man. All the while, David led God’s people and pretended loyalty to God.
This is the man who wrote Psalm 62.
Before I post any devotionals, I read them to my husband, Chuck, to make sure I am not misrepresenting Scripture. As I read him the description of David’s surrender to our God, I began to cry. I couldn’t get through the words. God’s gracious love, experienced by such a man, overwhelmed me as I realized once more the overpowering love of Jesus for me. That perfect love drives David’s absolute trust in God. Imagine for a moment that King David, this one who experienced great darkness yet experienced such joy in his relationship with God, is singing this hymn with the people of God:
Amazing Grace
AMAZING GRACE! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me;
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.
Words: John Newton (1725-1807)
Let’s unpack the treasure chest of Psalm 62, The Only Psalm, a little more and see what other gems we find.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
More free resources for help, hope, & healing:
In His Grip is the preaching and teaching ministry of Dr. Chuck F. Betters from almost fifty years in church ministry. This month’s featured series is: The Grapes of Wrath with Dr. Chuck Betters
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 Sunday, 15 October 2023.
SHARE
