READ:
Psalms 60-62
As David was writing this psalms, other
nations were gathering together as allies against him. Friendly nations were
allying with enemy nations and David was standing alone with no allies to come
to his aid. With nations aligned against him David cried out to God for
victory. He felt rejected by God because of all the desperate times, yet he
knew his only hope was in the Lord. While other nations were making agreements
to fight against David, David was singing to the Lord about his trust in God to
give him aid, because the help of men is worthless. It was David’s firm belief
and confidence that unless God brings the victory there will be none – no
matter how badly stacked the odds are. His best and only ally was God Himself.
Psalm 61 is a call to God from a man
who is growing weak and possibly depressed. He teaches us a very important
lesson about how to endure when life is overwhelming and we are slipping into a
low emotional place. David says this is when he calls to God and asks Him to
take him higher to a place where he can’t go on his own. Then he recalls the
facts of God’s faithfulness in the past, first to give God praise, and second
to remind himself there really is hope in the Lord. David puts his focus on
things the Lord has done and on eternity. His looking back (remembering things
God has done, and his family heritage of faith) helps him to look forward (to
living in heaven with God forever).
In verse 9 of Psalm 62 David’s words
are directed to the heart of one who is greedy and compares himself to others.
He talks about upper class and lower class people. He explains how the lives of
the lower class people are so short they are like a breath that disappears
quickly. The upper class people don’t actually exist. Some translations say
they are a lie. This is because their lives don’t last any longer or offer more
value to the world than lower class people. This is why he then gives
instructions not to extort money, or steal: it’s not actually going to change
our value. He says even if we do get wealthy, our hope should not be in our
finances or our material possession because all our belongings and financial
net worth does not change a single thing about our value as people. But before
we get discouraged about having so little value, David reminds us in verse 12
how much God loves us. Even though our lives are as short as a breath, God
promises to reward each individual person for what he has done. Our vapor-like
lives still hold God’s full attention. This makes His love for us even more
incredible.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Ask God to show you if there is any
situation or circumstance in your life where you are relying on the strength of
friends, family, a boss, a co-worker, the government or anyone else, to help
you instead of Him – especially if it feels like you will not get what you want
or need without some sort of human intervention. It could be in connection to
your finances, a relationship, making a purchase, getting a job – anything –
big or small. If God brings something to mind, confess if necessary, and ask
God to give you a clear understanding of His ability to help you. Ask God for
what steps you should take in order to walk out the truth that He is your only
hope.
2. Have you ever been discouraged or at an
emotionally low point? Take a few minutes to follow David’s pattern. Write out
a list of things you know God has done for you. Then take a few more minutes
and write out some of the great things you are looking forward to in heaven you
will never experience here on earth. Spend time praising God for His
faithfulness in times past and His hope for all eternity.
3. Ask God to examine your heart and
expose to you if there is anything in your heart that believes those with
wealth have more weight with God, that those with less have less importance, or
regarding your own pursuit of status. Ask God for a clear word, thought or
picture about the value of the rich and poor. Confess any sin if necessary. Ask
God if there is any action He wants you to take to help this truth sink in.
