Psalm 62:1-12
Subject: Trusting God
Theme: Place your Trust
in God instead of man-made schemes and strategies to have security and
protection from threats.
Introduction:
Fear in the form of insecurity can become a vicious
circle. If you feel bad about how you look or doubt your value, you may shy
away from interpersonal situations or shun experiences that would examine or
assess your aptitude, reasoning, and abilities. And in doing so, you cripple or
even wreck your potential for effectiveness, victory, and interrelationship.
How else may you be impacted by being insecure? 1) You’ll
have difficulty trusting others. 2) You may feel paranoid in many things and
worry people are coming over to get you. 3) You may be mistakenly perceived as superior
or conceited when trying too hard to cover up your insecurities. 4) You may feel
at times like panicking over small issues and exaggerating the problems.
Relevance: This
Psalm contrasts the security of trusting God with the insecurity of relying on man-made
strategies. We are often tempted to give in to our fears
and insecurities, but the Lord presents Himself as the only viable alternative
to the devices that threaten us. Psalm 62 says trust God instead. The Psalm is
a healthy reminder for troubled times…when we feel threaten as we live a God-focused
life. In Psalm 62, David affirmed that the Eternal God of heaven is the
Source of his personal security, therefore David could not be shaken…he was
secure! Likewise, God is our Deliverer, our Rock, our Defense, and our Refuge, always
trust him.
Message:
I.
God’s Character Invites
Our Trust—this is Why we Trust Him.
A. The
Lord is the Source of our Deliverance (v. 1). Why
rest in God this way? Why Him?
1. Psalm
62:1, says, “from him cometh my salvation.” David
is ruthlessly making himself silently wait to overcome his insecurities. By
waiting in silence, David is physically placing his confidence in God.
2. David
is “on purpose” enduring, persevering, and trusting God with absolute
certainty that God will answer, and God will come through because it is who God
is. We are urged on to quiet victory by trusting God alone.
3. This
same kind of confidence is also detailed in the Word of God. There are several
verses that can encourage us in Him (Ps. 23; 91; 27; 90; 86; 42; 63; 136)
B. Yet,
the Lord is Rejected by Some for Poor Reasons (v. 3 & 4). Remember
trusting God is the key! “This psalm reflects David’s confident trust in the
Lord in spite of opposition. In silence he waited for God, his Strength and
Security, to deliver him from his deceitful enemies.”[1]
1. By
those who “imagine mischief” …overthrowing…toppling
the perceived vulnerable king.
2. By
those who will “be slain” because of their weakness
and susceptibility.
3. By
those who come together to Dethrone the King using Lies and Deceit.
i. They
hoped to accomplish this through lies. They blessed David with their words, but
in their hearts they cursed him.[2]
ii. Let
us understand David’s action under the bitter attack of Shimei. While David was
on the throne, Shimei bowed like the rest of them; but, when he was free to
express his heart of hatred, we find him cursing David and hurling rocks after
him as he fled from Jerusalem. David had a loyal captain by the name of
Abishai, a son of Zeruiah, who said to the king, “… Why should this dead dog
curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head” (2
Sam. 16:9).
iii. My
friend, if you want an example of what the Scripture means by “… Vengeance is
mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19), listen to David as he replies
to his captain: “And the king said … so let him curse, because the Lord hath
said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?”
(2 Sam. 16:10). In other words, David tells him “God has permitted him to curse
me; you let him curse me.” Have you ever stopped to think, my friend, that God
has given you certain enemies for a definite purpose to test you that you might
become a better Christian? Do not become alarmed at the presence of enemies and
difficulties that God has permitted to cumber your path. He is not bearing hard
on you. Would that we would trust God to the extent that we would not cry out
at a time like that![3]
C. The
Lord is the Focus of our Trust for Many Reasons. These
are just some of the incredible ways that God is presented to us. He is portrayed
as….
1. As
the Source of our Salvation (v. 2, 6, 7). What is “salvation” referring to in Psalm 62? David testifies that his trust is only in God; there is
no greater source of safety or confidence (Psalm 62:2). The same is true of
salvation, which is found only in the Lord (Psalm 3:8; 146:3–5). David
anticipates deliverance from his enemies because God is capable.
2. As
Our Rock (v. 2, 6, 7). By mentioning metaphors such as “rock,”
David points to the stability, reliability, strength, impregnability, and
solidity of God—the secure foundation.
i. “That
is the central truth of the psalm. That is the central truth of David’s life.
That is the dynamo that ran his life. That is the thing that caused him to
stand head and shoulders above other men on the horizon of history. It has
caused him to cast a long shadow down the corridor of time. “He only is my rock.”[4]
ii. David emphasizes
the unshakable nature of his deep faith in this unshakable God. He encourages
others to make the same choice: trusting the Lord with sincerity (Ps. 62:8).
David asserts that he places all trust and faith in the Lord God alone.
3. As
Our Defense (v. 2, 6). The Lord is like a fortress, and it
refers to a secure high place or a safe retreat (See Exo. 15:2; Ps. 89:18;
94:22). We remain or become unshakable when the Lord is our defense.
4. As
the Foundation of our Expectation or Hope (v. 5). This
refers to the Lord’s anticipated outcomes. He is the bases and reason for
hopeful results. We can anticipate good outcomes when God is our expectation.
5. As
Our Glory (v. 7). 156 times this Hebrew word is translated “glory.”
It often refers to God’s abundance, dignity, honor, wealth, and reputation that
he shares with those who call upon him in trust (v. 8). Our ‘honor’ depends on
God’s ability to render the enemy ineffective (v. 6).
6. As
Our Refuge (v. 7, 8). God is our stronghold and shelter during
the storms, dangers, and challenges. We can find safety and security in Him;
run to him even now!
7. As
the Source of Power (v. 11). God is the source of our
political, social, and personal strength or ability. “Power
belongeth unto God”
8. As
the Fountain of Mercy (v. 12). Refers to the goodness,
kindness, and faithfulness of God.
II.
Things We Tend to Trust
Instead of God. There are six other
objects in which people often trust, but such trust is sure to be disappointed.
A. People. “Surely men of low degree are vanity” (v. 9).
1. “Men of low degree,”
or common people, those who adopt a mob or herd mentality, subjects of
groupthink… they are fickle, given to changing, and capricious! They are as substantial
and transitory as a vapor. “Vanity” refers to a lack of significance or the
fleeting nature of life (Ps. 39:4-6).
2. “The psalmist
warned that it is foolish to trust in humans. He described how transitory life
is, whether a person is of low or high position. People are nothing but a breath (heḇel,
“a vapor”; cf. 39:5, 11; 144:4 and comments on Ecc. 1:2). They are so
insignificant that, if weighed, the scales would not even move. Their might is
powerless against God. Therefore one should not trust in the powerful advances
of the wicked.”[5]
B. Leaders. “Men of high degree are
a lie,” (v. 9).
1. These
“men of high degree” are rulers or wealthy people…they are prominent in society…some
are distinguished and famous…well known stand outs…they enjoy positions, power,
and influence!
2. These
are also a delusion in that they seem to offer help and security, but they are
not dependable. Put the rabble or the elite in the scales and they are
weightless as far as trustworthiness is concerned.
3. “And
this is the first thing that a new Christian must learn—not to look to men but
to God. Many new Christians have become discouraged, disappointed, and
disillusioned, for they have their eyes set upon a man. A young Christian told
me recently that he had gotten his eyes on a man, and it had all but made
shipwreck of his faith. David knew all of the time that he could not trust men,
so his faith was fixed utterly upon God. He rested upon a Rock that could not
be moved.”[6]
C. Abuses. “Trust not in oppression” (v. 10).
1. Oppression is riches obtained
by persecution, fraud, and violence…cruel and unfair treatment…prolonged unfair
control…a corrupt exercise of power and authority. This is a foolish
method to depend on; “it reeks with God’s curse.” (Based on W. McDonald)
2. “Oppression
is what happens when people grow their own sense of power, comfort, and
security at the expense of others. It's the use of violence, coercion, and
corruption that makes life easier for some and harder for others. And it's one
of the main problems addressed in the Bible, from beginning to end.” (From
Youtube.com)
D. Stealing. “And become not vain in robbery,”
1. This
is cheating others, charging exorbitant taxes, unashamed swindling, or over
charging.
2. Robbery might seem to be a quick
route to power and wealth, but ill-gotten gain is doomed to the judgment of
God.
E. Money. “If riches increase, set
not your heart upon them.”
1. “Riches are not to be trusted either (cf. Prov. 11:28; 23:5;
27:24).”[7]
2. Not
only are oppression and robbery, which are wicked means of wealth, no grounds
of boasting; but even wealth, increasing lawfully, ought not to engross the
heart.[8]
3. “…make
not the wealth of the world your chief good and highest end: in short, do not
make an idol of it.” This we are most in danger of doing when riches increase.”[9]
F. Hard Work. Even riches
gained through honest industry should never take the Lord’s place in our
affections and service. (From W. McDonald)
1. Being
persistent, dedicated, resilient, and diligent are all desirable traits, but we
cannot afford to be independent of God. Hardworking involves constantly,
regularly, or habitually engaging in earnest and energetic work… it is being industrious,
and diligent. We need more of this, but not at the expense of trusting God.
2. F.
B. Meyer wrote: “How often have we looked for help from men and money in
vain—but God has never failed us.”[10]
III.
The Results of Placing
Our Trust in God. What are the results of
placing your confidence and trust in God? These ideas have been developed already
to a large degree, so I will reserve my comments in this light. These are the
results of trusting the Lord:
A. We
Shall Not be Greatly Moved (v. 2).
B. We
will have Boldness to Rebuke our Enemies (v. 3).
C. We
can see Through our Enemies’ Strategies (v. 4).
D. We
Shall Not Be Moved (v. 6). Life becomes stable and solid to the trusting saint!
E. We
will want Others to know the Joy of Trusting God (v. 8).
1. Trust
God Always and in Every Situation.
2. Pour
out your Heart in Prayer to Him with Confidence.
3. Regard
Him as our Refuge—the place we run to for shelter and safety.
4. Come
to Him boldly, persistently, and honestly; you can rely on God to meet your
need.
Conclusion:
As we end this thought, we are often tempted to give
in to our fears and insecurities resorting to people, leaders, abuses, money, stealing,
and even hard work. However, and repeatedly the Lord presents Himself as the
only viable alternative to our reservations. Whether insecurities related to
physical appearance, spiritual growth, relationships, financial stability, or
even professional skills, Psalm 62 says trust God instead.
· So,
bring whatever insecurities surrounding your appearance to the Lord….
· Bring
whatever needs you have for growth in the Lord, whether patience, kindness,
selflessness, love, servanthood….
· Bring
your inability to communicate, your shunning people while preferring social
media, your awkwardness that drives you to your cell phone instead of towards people….
· Bring
your inabilities, inadequacies, limitations, flaws, needs, and perceived defects
and trust the Lord Jesus with them all.
Through these thoughts, David asserts to us that the
Eternal God of heaven is the Source of his personal security, therefore David
could not be shaken! His life became
stable, secure, full of assurance, and conviction…secure. Where there was fear,
it is replaced by God’s love, where there were worries, they were replaced with
Christ-centered affirmations, and where there were anxieties, they are replaced
with God’s control. Uncertainties and insecurities have evaporated in the
brilliant light of our great Creator, Ruler, and Judge—Elohim! Certainly, there
are struggles to overcome and perspectives to embrace, but trusting God should
be at the top of our lists. Dear, believer in Jesus Christ, trust Him alone. Find
rest in our powerful God instead of human devices.
Finally, one more truth about trust should be
observed. One evidence that we all have sinned is the fact that we die
physically. This NO ONE can deny. Physical death is also indicative of a pervasive
human condition of spiritual separation from God (Rom. 5:12). Eternal death is
suffering forever in the Lake of Fire (Rom. 6:23).
God promises to save all who will acknowledge their
sins to Him while trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior (Rom. 3:21-26). You
see, sin is defined as violations of God’s Laws (Rom. 3:9, 19, 20, 27-31). It
is against God that we have sinned. We have put idols before the true and
living God. We are guilty of taking God’s Name in vain. We have not honored our
parents fully and always. We have not treated people with real love and respect
exclusively. We do not measure up to the perfections of God’s standard of
morality, the Law. We NEED His forgiveness...He offers us sinners forgiveness
not condemnation. With this being the case...condemnation is something you
chose by refusing Christ (John 3:15-21).
We are all guilty of transgressing God’s Law. We all
have gone beyond the limitations established by God in the Bible, and we must
now be punished for our awful sin. We are all facing the death penalty. The
only hope is God’s forgiveness made available to each of us through faith in
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Beloved, it was Jesus who died for our sins, was
buried because he actually died to satisfy the death penalty against sin. He
also rose again the third day exactly as he repeatedly stated he would (1 Cor.
15:1-4). Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, sin, and Satan
through his cross and resurrection (Luke 24:44-49). He is alive to save you if
you turn to him confessing your sin and receiving his sacrifice for you (Rom.
10:8-17). He saved me and he can save you too. Trust the living Lord Jesus as
Savior to be forgiven as God promised.
Jesus is not motivated to condemn us, but to help us see our incredible NEED
for God’s forgiveness. Please do not place your trust in a church, a
membership, a denominational affiliation, a ritual or ceremony, a work of
service, yourself, or a religious creed. These methods will only fail…. Trust
Jesus, the Savior now.
[1]
Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F.
Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 839.
[2]
Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F.
Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 839.
[3]
J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 2 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1997), 778.
[4]
J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 2 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1997), 779.
[5]
Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F.
Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 839.
[6]
J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 2 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1997), 779.
[7]
Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F.
Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 839.
[8]
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical
and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA:
Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 365.
[9]
Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s
Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume
(Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 831.
[10]
William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible
Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville:
Thomas Nelson, 1995), 643.
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