Trusting God Only

Psalm 62:1-12

To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.” (Psalm 62:1-2)

Many Christian organizations use carefully designed fund raising campaigns to pay for their programs and facilities.  If the campaign doesn’t raise enough money, they fire the campaign manager and hire a different one.    Often, the only difference between the way they raise money and the way secular groups do is that the religious groups claim they are trusting God to make it work while the secular groups do not.   In reality, their faith is in the fund raising program rather than God. 

David says he is completely trusting in God, waiting for him to produce the results and save him.   He concentrated on doing what God told him, even assisting groups that would later turn against him, in obedience.  He did not mount a publicity campaign or membership drive to gain support.    God was his rock and his salvation, and David’s success was not dependent on earthly factors such as the size of his army or the support of powerful people.   Because he was depending on God rather than human support, his position would not be affected by who supported him.   When we depend on human support, we are tend to adapt our policies and doctrinal statements to satisfy potential supporters.  When we are trusting God, there is no reason to change our position.         

“How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.  They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. “ (Psalm 62:3-4)

Those who stand against a man who is doing what is right may appear powerful, but they are like a brick wall that is starting to sag outward, or a fence that the some of the posts have rotted away.  They are already showing signs of imminent collapse.   When they get together, it is solely to figure out how to destroy their opponent.  They are deceitful, pretending to be friends while spreading lies.  Saul demonstrates what David is talking about.  He repeatedly pretended to promote David while conspiring to kill him.  He became so focused on his efforts to kill David he neglected the country, even turning on Jonathan for questioning his agenda. 

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (Psalm 62:5-8)

David says to depend only on the Lord and expect him to do what is needed.  He is the only one who knows what is necessary and has the power to do it.  He is the rock of salvation, the one who can always be depended on to protect and save us, and when we depend on him nothing will move us.  He is the one we can always turn to. 

“Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.  Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” (Psalm 62:9-10)

A huge following may feed our ego, but it is really of little value.   The support of powerful leaders cannot be depended on.   When the time comes they will abandon you even faster than the masses in an effort to keep their position.    Efforts to coerce the people to obey, claiming pastoral authority, or using threats of exclusion form the group will not produce lasting results, and will ultimately backfire.  Raising money for one purpose, then using it for something else or telling people that if they give, God will give them back more is robbing the givers.   When we are depending on these kinds of things, we are not trusting God.   When we are not trusting God, there is a tendency to focus on the power and money available rather than on obeying God.

“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.  Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.” (Psalm 62:11-12)

God does not depend on human methods or programs.  He has infinite power and resources, and is able to do whatever is needed.   He doesn’t need a fund raising program, or publicity campaigns and support from financial or political figures to accomplish his purposes.    God is the one to decide who gets help and forgiveness, and he supplies based on people’s actions and attitudes toward him. 

In Psalm 37:23-25, David said, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”  If we are trusting God and doing what he says, we do not need to use the world’s way of raising money or gaining victory.