For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-2 ESV).
This Psalm was written during Absalom’s Rebellion which is found in 2 Samuel 15-18; it lasted for about 4 years and was a time of great distress and uncertainly for David. David also wrote psalms 39, 41, 55, 61 and 63 during this time. Absalom, his son, was self-centered and independent and wanted to steal the hearts of the people away from David. Through lies and deceit, he turned the people against David and proceeded to crowned himself king.
David had no choice but to flee… Why?
1. Rebellion was widespread – it would not have been easily suppressed
2. David really didn’t want to hurt his son
3. David did not want Jerusalem destroyed
How do events in your life make you feel like running away like David? Where would you run to? Where do you attempt to find relief other than God? In verse 9 and 10, David warns us that relief is not found in our position, acceptance, money, or people. I love this thought, “people are but a breath” – i.e…. they have no weight… People are not important.
In this Psalm David instead arms himself with facts to deal with his pain and fears…
vs. 1: God alone brings salvation.
vs. 2: Only by finding refuge in Him we will not be moved.
vs. 5: We have our expectation and hope in God alone.
vs. 6: God is our fortress – He is the only safe place to wait and rest.
vs. 7: In God only is salvation and our glory (our honor)
vs. 8: God can be TRUSTED
vs 11: God alone has power, not us or our enemies.
vs 12: God’s love is steadfast – without end.
How did all those words comfort David? How can they serve as a comfort to us?
What might be your metaphor? God is my _____________________.
In Psalm 62: 1, we read that David’s soul “waits” on God, which in translations means he was silent, calm, content, and submissive in the Lord. What does God tell us to do while we are waiting? In vs. 8, David reminds us that we can trust God and pour out our heart to Him. Why can we do that? Because only in Him do we have meaning and honor, salvation and strength (vs. 7). We can do that because in the end God will “render to a man according to his work” (vs. 12b).
Let me sum all this up with a key idea of Psalm 62 – I can rest in the midst of struggles because ONLY GOD HELPS… even when I feel like I am a bowing wall or a tottering fence. I may be shaken, but I will not fall. Shaking is linked to confusion, anxiety and the unrest of the human heart. Nowhere does God promise we won’t be pushed around some, but He does promise that He will KEEP us SOLID and we shall not fall. . If we are truly God’s – we will automatically be in battles with the world… not only might we feel physical forces, but also emotional forces… vs. 4 (lies told and planted in our minds).
David tells us in vs. 11 and 12 why He can make such claims. He says, “Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: that the power belongs to God.” A good way to translate this idea into our language is – through experience I have learned over and over again – God has the real power and love. He is steadfast love – He is FAITHFUL.
THEREFORE… TRUST IN GOD… HIS MERCY and HIS CHARACTER and ATTRIBUTES… no matter what you are going through.
Victory Call 