2021 is my year of Selah: stop and think. Each year, I seek God in prayer for what He wants me to focus on for the next 365 days. This year, that word is Selah, found 74 times in the Bible. Although the definition is unknown; generally, people define it as a pause or rest. Most of the occurrences are in Psalms. When we find “Selah” at the end of a passage, we’re to pause and reflect on what we just read. In musical terms, the expression indicates when the musician would take a breath. Whatever the exact definition is, I settled on “stop and think.”
“I made my sins known to you, and I did not cover up my guilt. I decided to confess them to you, O Lord. Then you forgave all my sins. Selah” (Psalm 31:5 GW)
Pause.
David is the author of this Psalm. In this moment, he has finally confessed his sins, then received God’s forgiveness. Out of the freedom that comes from baring one’s soul to God, David writes these words. What we’re witnessing is David taking a more profound step into his relationship with God. When he does, he finds a reason to pause and reflect.
Do you remember the moment you first gave God all the gory details of your life? The feeling of rebirth that came from letting it all go? I do. Forty years later, I still recall running home from church. Just 12 years old, I knew I needed Jesus in my heart. For some reason, I thought I needed to get as close to heaven as I could. Thinking God lived in the sky, I climbed to the top bunk of my brother’s bunk bed and begged Jesus to forgive me. Even at such a tender age, I knew I was a sinner. I asked Him to please come live in my heart. At that moment, I felt what David felt.
God is the same God today He was then.
Rest.
“For this reason let all godly people pray to you when you may be found. Then raging floodwater will not reach them. You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyous songs of salvation. Selah” (Psalm 32:6-7 GW)
When I read these words, I find rest. David’s passion for people to discover what he found is evident. He reminds me, God is waiting for me to turn to Him. Tears flow from my eyes as I unburden myself to my Creator. Chaos in life makes us forget we have an ally. God doesn’t want us to go through life tired and stressed. Our heavenly Father wants us to idle in His goodness, basking in His love for us.
Find rest today. Whatever is on your heart and mind, lift it in prayer to the One who has the answers. If anxiety is weighing you down, tell God about it. Give him all your cares and worries. Tell God what is going on in your family. He already knows, He just wants you to talk to Him. Is work stealing your joy? Ask God to help you find it again. Health, finances, relationships, they cause all of us concern. We have little control over the things of this world, but God does. And He wants you to rest in the knowledge that He’s in control.
God is your hiding place. He protects you from trouble. God surrounds you with joyous songs of salvation. Selah.
Praise.
“All day long we praise our God. We give thanks to you forever. Selah” (Psalm 44:8 GW)
When we take time to pause and reflect on what God has done for us, we find reason to praise. The Lord quickly reminds us of the storms He’s carried us through in the past. We can gain confidence for the future, knowing God already has a plan.
Everyone’s world is chaotic. Practicing Selah, taking time to stop and think about God, will give you rest. Release your cares to Him, find the rest you desperately crave. Trust, God’s got this too.
Prayer.
Father God, thank You for this reminder to rest. Forgive us for the times we lose sight of you because of the world around us. Help us to refocus our eyes back on the Son. Forgiveness and mercy are Your calling card; let us not forget that. Aid us in finding time to practice Selah today. As we pause and reflect on Your word and Your presence in our life, help us find rest. Renew us, refresh us, energize us for the journey ahead. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen
