Trust in God Alone

INTRO

Lesson 54 will cover Psalms 60, 61, and 62. As we go through each one of these psalms, let’s slow down and let the Lord speak to us—to grow us in our emotions in the Lord. Today, we’ll talk about how Psalm 62 can carry us through whatever challenges we face.

TEACHING

Psalm 62;1-2: The phrase, “I rest in God alone,” means silently waiting for God. Whatever we face, we can be confident God is in it and has it under control. By depending on God, we can find rest. So, let’s walk through the process of how we can get to the place where we rest and trust in God. David wrote Psalm 62 for the choir director, Jeduthun. More than likely, Jeduthun was the designated worship director. According to Constable, the theme is, “My soul finds rest in God alone.”¹ In 1 Chronicles 9:16, Obadiah is listed as the great-grandson of Jeduthun. In 1 Chronicles 16:37–42, David left Asaph and his relatives before the ark of the covenant. Among them were Heman and Jeduthun who played musical instruments before God. Clearly, Jeduthun was a worship director; he played instruments and his sons were also very involved. First Chronicles 25:1–3 describes Jeduthun’s huge history in music. Jeduthun was an incredible worship leader, an incredible man of God, and an incredible prophet who was passing those traits down to his sons.

Some say David wrote this Psalm while his son Absalom was ruling over Judah in Hebron. Others say he wrote it while facing treason from someone else.² The point is that amidst all of this opposition, David had silent confidence that victory was coming. David said, “I will never be shaken” (vv. 2, 6).

Psalm 62:3–4: David’s questions in verse 3 are a metaphor describing an imminent collapse.³ David’s opponents planned to take him down from his high position, and they took pleasure in lying (v. 4). The language, “blessing with their mouths but cursing inwardly,” brings to mind the religious people who looked good on the outside but were traitors inside. This traitor mentality was demonstrated when Ahithophel said one thing to David and another thing to Absalom (2 Samuel 15). It was also demonstrated when Judas said one thing to Jesus while setting up with the soldiers to come and arrest Jesus.

Psalm 62:5–6: Again, David stated his intent to rest in God alone, to wait silently and confidently in God (a repetition of v. 1). Then in verse 6, David repeated verse 2, stating God was his rock, his salvation, and his stronghold. He would not be shaken.

Psalm 62:7–8: David said his refuge was in God (v. 7). He called people to trust God at all times and to pour out their hearts before Him (v. 8). In other words . . . pray, pray, pray, pray, pray.

Psalm 62:9–12: “Men are only a vapor; exalted men, an illusion” (v. 9). This reminds us of the wealthy who we were talking about a couple of days ago. These guys for whom we have such high respect—well, they come and go. “They are less than a vapor” (v. 9).

How do you rest in God alone? Hebrews 4:11 says, “Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.” How can we enter into that rest? We have to make an effort to be still and to listen to God. It takes a diligent effort on our part. For many of us, it is so hard to sit and rest.

John Piper did an incredible job of describing how to do this.4

1. Pay close attention to what you’ve heard so you won’t drift away (Hebrews 2:1).
2. Don’t neglect your great salvation (Hebrews 2:3).
3. Consider Jesus (Hebrews 3:1). When you’re finding rest, the only focus should be your great salvation—on Jesus, Himself.
4. Don’t harden your heart (Hebrews 3:8). How do Christians harden their hearts? By losing focus on Jesus to allow the world, the flesh, and Satan to become distractions.

Take care against an evil, unbelieving heart (Hebrews 3:12). When you don’t pay attention, then you slowly, slowly, slowly become hardened. Your hardened heart becomes skeptical about the things of God. Even believers begin to doubt God can do incredible stuff.

Exhort one another every day against the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:14). Holding fast to God allows us to encourage each other.

Fear the unbelief that will keep you from your promised rest (Hebrews 4:1). God has guaranteed us eternal rest. Focus on Jesus so you can experience this rest?

When David wrote this psalm, he encouraged Jeduthun to sing, “I’m finding my rest in Him. And when I find my rest in Him, nothing else matters.”

CLOSING

Lord, we say thanks for this word and thank You for David encouraging us to find and wait in You silently. To trust in You, to know You’re going to deliver us from these situations. I praise You for allowing us to have quiet confidence that the victory is coming. We know ultimate rest is coming through You, whether or not we experience it here. We know we will experience it through eternity. For that reason alone, Lord, we can be confident in You. May we never be shaken because our hope comes from You.