Psalm 62
The first two verses of Psalm 62 could easily be the basis for an infinite number of lessons, devotional messages, and thoughts on trust in the Lord. David wrote, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Rest here carries the idea of peace and well-being. The account of David’s life could hardly be called a peaceful existence; but he knew that the only way he could find any peace and rest within himself would be from God. Such rest could only come from his love for God, his faith in God, and a real desire to be obedient to Him and His will.
Today, it is hard for some people to realize that true rest only comes from God. During times of prosperity, people can find a sense of contentment in the world, and the thought begins to develop, “Why do I need the Lord? I have everything that I need!” However, the peace and contentment that can be found in the world is very short-lived. Things that seem to be so secure and rock-solid can vanish overnight.
One man may accumulate enough wealth to live “the good life”, but then he is struck down with serious health problems and dies. Many people’s homes have been destroyed by floods, fire, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Rest, contentment, and security in this world is a very fragile thing; but Satan uses the idea of “rest and contentment” in the world to try to seduce men and women away from the Lord.
A clear example of how Satan operates can be seen in the devil’s temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. His primary argument to Jesus was “Follow me and the struggle will be over! You don’t have to go through all this!” But Jesus knew that that was a lie. Likewise, David knew the same thing. Satan tries to sell a fantasy world that does not exist. But the Lord shows the world as it really is, and then offers the real alternative of eternal peace and salvation.
In verse 2, .David used three words to describe what God meant to him. Those words were rock, salvation, and fortress. For David, God was the rock of his life. For David, the rock was an anchor that kept him where he needed to be. The New Testament describes people, whose faith is weak, as drifting without an anchor. Today, many people are drifting because there is nothing solid and secure in their lives. James wrote in James 1:5-8, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
God was also David’s salvation. For Christians today, that word is especially true. The hope and promise of salvation only comes in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, following the Lord gives purpose to life. Being joined to the Lord will give people a reason to get up each morning and face the problems and trials of life. Many philosophers see no real purpose in life. One wonders why they try to do anything without a worthy goal to strive for. But in the Lord is the promise and CERTAINTY of salvation! That hope has carried thousands upon thousands of faithful believers through the struggles of life to the promised home with God.
Finally, David saw God as his fortress. As an anchor; the Lord kept David where he needed to be. As his fortress, the Lord also provided him with spiritual protection from the trials of life and his enemies. Because of those three words, David wrote that he would never be shaken. Yes, at times David was under severe pressure and distress, but in the end, his faith never left him.
After, the first two verses; David goes from the blessings that are to be enjoyed in the Lord to the dissension and turmoil that exists in the world. Verses 3-4 and verses 9-16 give a picture of the world like a huge game of “King of the Mountain”. As one person reaches the top of the mountain, everyone else tries to pull them down. There can be no rest or peace – only guarding from attack.
Psalm 62 shows very clearly what the world has to offer and what the Lord has to offer. It is clear that there is no comparison at all. In verse 8, David wrote, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” The only answer is the Living God. In Jesus Christ, the opportunity of salvation is open for anyone. All praise be to our Father in Heaven!
Jim Shelburn