INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 62
Yesterday I had a fall - the first time in ages. I was taking the dogs for a walk and the ground was a little uneven. It seemed like the devil was determined to have me `topple from my lofty place', when I had in my mind that this year was to be one of mountain top experiences.
Laying on the ground for a few minutes, I waited for the anxiety to overwhelm me, but instead I heard these words:
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in ever detail of their lives. If they stumble badly they will survive, for the Lord lifts them up with His hands." Psalm 37:23&24 (NLT & TPT)
With these words firmly grasped in my mind, I took hold of the Lord's hand, I WALKED ON TO FACE MY DAY - pain, scrapes and bruises. I was not going to let the `worry paralyze me', for reminded of God omnipresence, love and faithfulness, I knew that whatever 2018 held for me, God would be my `CHAMPION DEFENDER'.
"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my Rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1&2 (NIV)
David too trusted in God alone for His strength and stability and focused on Him for His help when troubled arose. He wanted His chief musicians to help him make it known to to the people in His land that `God was His only Saviour'. (D Guzak, 2015).
God wants us to reach out to Him , as our Saviour, and develop this same relationship, so that when we fall, we know that He is there to lift us up.
HOW TO DEVELOP THIS RELATIONSHIP - Read Psalm 62:1-4
How do we develop a relationship with our omnipresent, faithful God and Saviour?
1. PATIENCE IN PRAYER - truly resting, waiting and listening to God. This is how we cultivate our relationship. What a glorious experience to sense God's Spirit guiding our thoughts.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5&6 (NIV)
2. SPEND TIME IN HIS WORD - the more time you spend reading and learning God's Word and will for your life, the more strength you will have when those trials come upon you.
"When we wait upon on God, give up our will and wisdom, and leave all our providence in His hands, we know He delivers." Matthew Henry
3. SEEK TO KNOW HIM AND KNOW ABOUT HIM - as long as it takes, commit yourself to God and only God - to what He desires for your life. David knew that his enemies would always plot against him, there would always be `vicious threats' - that was the life of the king. But if he continued to seek and trust in God, `His Champion Defender', he would have the winning edge.
"He alone is my safe place; His wrap around presence always protects me, for He is my Champion Defender; there is no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyze me."
Psalm 62:2 (TPT)
WE CANNOT BE SHAKEN - Read Psalm 62:5-8
This Psalm for me, at the moment, has become one of my favourites. Like David, I have needed reassurance and calm confidence in God. I have needed a place where I can go to surrender my faith. At times I have been tempted by other things, but I have always come back to my FAITHFUL GOD.
"Therefore I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not confirm to the pattern of this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1&2 (NIV)
"My expectation, my Rock, my salvation, my glory, my strength, my refuge; the Psalmist is not content to KNOW that the Lord is all these things; HE ACTS IN FAITH TOWARDS HIM, laying claim to every character." (Charles Spurgeon)
David also believed that what was good for him was good for everyone else in his Kingdom, and he invited them to `pour out their hearts to God', just as He did - to tell Him all their troubles, their sorrows, their longings - "trusting God in every moment".
"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him; for God is your refuge."
Psalm 62:8 (NIV)
PROSPERITY CHRISTIANITY - Read Psalm 62:9-12
For the last 12 months I have been out of work and have been worried, not so much about the fact that I have no money; but that I have no way of helping my family.
Like David, I have seen how some weathy people have advanced in cruel and dishonest ways. They have grown proud and arrogant. I have also had friends who have used their wealth honestly, and their lives have been full of joy, hope and security. The latter have been examples of prosperous Christianity in action, and if I was able, I would hope to live my life this way.
David was a wealthy man, but he new himself how "transient" riches were. He learnt later in life, how important it was to spend time with his family, and to use his wealth to help others.
"Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles all the riches we could manage - to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (MSG)
David refused to look for strength anywhere else than in the Lord. He was determined to trust God and God alone. He did not long for power and was not an arrogant ruler; but endeavoured to be rich in mercy like his God. This is something we should all aim for, whether we have prosperity in riches or simply faith.
CONCLUSION
David had a calm confidence in God. He continually reassures himself with the words of this psalm, and we too can continually know this trust in this OMNIPRESENT, FAITHFUL GOD. We can be tempted to let other things in the world bring us down, but we can always come back to our Father, for we know He is always there, to lift us back up.
David ends this psalm with two of God's promises:
"Power belongs to God and with the Lord is unfailing love"and
You reward everyone according to what we have done." (Psalm 62:12) (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011, Biblical
Peterson, Eugene H, 2002, The Message, Nav Press Publications
Simmons, Dr Brian, 2015, The Passion Translation, Broadstreet
Churchyard, Gordon, 2005, "Only God". www.Easyenglish.bible.au
Guzik,Henry, 2015, "My Only Rock, My Salvation", Enduring Word.au
Henry, Matthew, "Commentary on the Whole Bible - Psalm 62", Bible Study Tools.
Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury of David", Christianity.au
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