Psalm 62: God alone

It’s been a while since I’ve done this, but today I’m just going to share with you my notes from what I’ve been reading in the Bible. Really, that’s all they are—notes, thoughts, questions, ponderings—but it’s my hope they will encourage you and maybe get some thoughtful conversation going (for instance, today I wonder if God allowed the communists, Hussein, et cetera to come to power to punish people for looking to man, and not Himself). Per usual, all of the verses are from the Amplified unless specified.

I’ve only time for one Psalm today, but since I can be rather verbose, that’s probably a good thing, right?

For God alone my soul waits in silence: from Him comes my salvation. He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Defense and my Fortress. I shall not be greatly moved.

…My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.

Psalm 62:1-2, 5-6

First of all, note the change in peace of mind here. At first, while declaring God as his sole source of salvation and protection, David reminds himself and us that he shall not be “greatly moved”. But then, after spending a few verses considering his enemies, David returns to confidently proclaiming God as his safe place and as his defender. This time, though, David confidently says he shall not be moved, period. Even in the face of deceitful enemies (enemies posing as friends, it appears), after pondering God’s virtues and reinforcing in his mind the image of a faithful God as his Rock, Salvation, Defense, and Fortress, David’s mind is at ease, not in his own strength, but that of God.

That God alone gives salvation goes without saying (or should).

Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us.

62:8

First of all, only the righteous, the sons and daughters of God who accept Christ, have access to this protection found in God. Secondly, this verse ought to remind us that at all times we are to retain our trust in God and His ways. He knows what He is doing, and no matter what, He is in control. Instead of fearing what we see, fear, or feel, we need to look to God for all things, from earthly protection and provision to eternal salvation. From no other source can any of these things come, and certainly not ourselves.

God has spoken once, twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God.

62:11

God alone is the source of power, and God alone grants power and authority to others, be they husbands, bosses, mayors, generals, or presidents (even Congresscreatures!).

To be honest, I sometimes wonder why certain men have come to power—men like Stalin and all of the Russian communists, Mao, Hitler, Ahmadinejad, Castro, Saddam Hussein, and so forth. I wonder why the people of Cambodia were slaughtered by revolutionaries, and how those people really came to power (that is, from a spiritual perspective, not just the earthly one). wonder if, in these and similar cases, the people rebelled against God, stiffening their necks and choosing to feed their own sensual lusts for things and “equality” and so forth. Rebellion always brings punishment and death, doesn’t it? “Choose you this day…” “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse…” Keep in mind, too, that as far as God is concerned, our eternal security is far more important than the earthly kind. His goal is to refine, purify, and strengthen the faith of those He has called to Him, to clean the sheep as it were, for salvation. If a great earthly trial must happen to get their attention, so be it.

Is it possible that God granted these evil men power because, in choosing self, they were really choosing death? Granted, in the Middle East (other than Israel) elections can’t be trusted, and similarly in most African nations (look at Zimbabwe). But Hitler, the communists (boy, talk about a wide swath of evil), Mao…didn’t they promise great and wonderful things to the people? A relief to all their worries and cares? So the people looked to these men rather than God, looked to having their own wants (not really needs, let’s be honest) satisfied by these men instead of wanting a thoughtful, strong, trustworthy leader who would demand righteousness of them as they ought to demand it of him…And as a result, not dying to themselves, the people were in many cases slaughtered, or at least enslaved to the state. Selfishness led to the loss of all, even the tiniest shreds of liberty.

Consider what has happened to Venezuela in such a short time; look at our own new president, a man who borderline promised us “heaven on earth”. Hubris much? Danger much? If your hope is to tempt God into sending a lighting bolt or piano falling out of the sky onto your head, being a fallen, wretched, depraved human being standing around declaring that you and your fellow evil sinners can create “heaven on earth” is a pretty darned good way to do so.

So…yes…perhaps it is that God grants these evil men power, because the people of the earth look to these men and government to satisfy needs instead of looking where they ought—to God. Remember, nothing at all happens without God’s knowing and assent. Right? This line of thought will continue a little further later on with a few other Psalms.

All of that rambling over with, though, consider this: As the sole source and provider of power, God not only grants it, but takes it away. A quick thumbing through the Bible alone is enough to prove this. Just as God can raise up a leader, God can—and will—bring them down and squash them if necessary. It is His power, after all, sort of…on loan. It is a privilege and responsibility to have power and authority, and this is why leaders of all kinds must do their best to reflect God’s wisdom and justice.

Of course, being fallible and fallen, every leader is almost bound to fail in some respect(s) or another, but that’s no excuse not to fearfully offer their best effort. Not only do these men and women serve their people (something they too often forget), they first and foremost are supposed to be serving God Himself; if they manage to do that properly, serving the people well is pretty much going happen without saying.

Also to You, O Lord, belong mercy and loving-kindness, for You render to every man according to his work.

Psalm 62:12

This almost seems to wrap up my earlier wonderings about whether or not people are punished for, in effect, voting largesse to themselves from the “public” treasury. God renders to them according to their deeds and intent. Just as He rewards our trying to be like Him and to please and honour Him with our lives, He will pay us accordingly for sin. This isn’t because He’s mean, but because He is holy and perfectly just; additionally, for the sheep, His intent is to get our attention, to cleanse us of sin and draw us back to Him.

Additionally, while this is rightfully a cause for concern and a good reason to stay in line, it’s a comfort; many believers do seek God, and try to please Him, and work hard for their families or employers with no reward or, worse, what really feels and looks like punishment and abuse. Yet God sees those acts and that heart, and He will reward. Though no one may ever thank or even give that worker their due, God will; if you’re one of the millions of people serving your spouse, church, or employer and getting no thanks for it or even being treated cruelly, remember that you’re really working for God, and He’s not stingy or forgetful. He sees, He knows, and He will reward you, well…accordingly. Funny how that works out…

So, those are some thoughts on Psalm 62. My leaving some verses out doesn’t mean there’s nothing good there, of course; it’s just that this time around, these verses here really grabbed my attention and have a sticky-note next to them in my Bible. I’d love to hear your thoughts as well.