Resting in God alone
We’re told we can’t get ahead without somehow cornering the market on money or power—cutting corners if we must. David says we truly get ahead by trusting ultimately in God alone.
For the director of worship, Jeduthun. A David psalm.
1 For God alone
my soul rests in silence—
my deliverance comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my deliverance
my fortress where nothing can shake me.
3 How long will you attack a man
battering him to the ground
like a leaning wall
a tottering fence?
4 Their only goal is to topple me
from my high position.
They love to deceive
outwardly blessing
inwardly bashing.
5 Find rest, my soul, in God alone
for he’s your only hope.
6 He alone is my rock and my deliverance
my fortress where nothing can shake me.
7 My deliverance and my honor come from God.
My refuge is in God
my strong rock.
8 Everyone, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him
because God really is our refuge.
9 Ordinary people are but a breath
the rich and powerful pure delusion.
Put side-by-side on the balance
they add up to less than a single airy breath.
10 Don’t try to get ahead by oppression
or entertain false hopes of a secret haul.
If your wealth multiplies
don’t set your heart on it.
11 Here’s one thing God has said
two things I’ve heard clearly stated:
power belongs to God—
12 so too does unfailing love, Lord.
You repay everyone
for whatever they have done.
David rests in God, his calm in the midst of the storm. He’s being mercilessly pounded by enemies determined to remove him from the exalted position God has given him. In fact, that’s the only thing they can agree on since they’re otherwise totally given to duplicity—outwardly commending, inwardly condemning. Such evil makes getting pulled out into the hurricane’s havoc far easier than resting in God, which requires clinging to him as firmly as possible.
In our weakness, we’re tempted to hope others will shore us up or to amass wealth and power for ourselves, through manipulation or, if need be, even some form of theft or power grab. We’re also tempted to view material wealth as reliable. But ill-gotten gain can easily be lost. So David refuses all such God-substitutes. Looking to people—whether crowds or the biggest powerbrokers around—is folly since the whole of humanity doesn’t even weigh enough to register on the scales. It’s not that humankind—created in God’s image—are worthless, but only that they’re not at all worth relying on. And getting ahead through oppression or extortion is counterproductive in the long run.
David urges his people—and himself—to trust God as their true source of hope and to pour their hearts out to him—easier said than done when it seems God doesn’t care. But three interrelated truths form the basis of David’s call: that God is all-powerful, that his love never fails and, implicitly, that he keeps his word and defends his people against their foes.
Lord, I often wish you’d support me as I think you should, but your thoughts are far higher than mine. You call me to wait humbly on you, love as you love, and give up my small ambitions for your kingdom’s sake. Help me believe your all-powerful love won’t fail me now or ever. Amen.
In your spare moments today, meditate on this truth:
Everyone, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him
because God really is our refuge.
