My soul waiteth in silence for God only: From him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my high tower; I shall not be greatly moved (Psalms 62:1-2).
There is something about a large rock that intrigues the mind. I’m not talking about the small rocks you might stub your toe on, or the little pebbles that might grace a gravel driveway. I am speaking of large rocks such as The Rock of Gibraltar, Mount Rushmore, El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, or Stone Mountain. It has been my privilege to visit the Grand Tetons, drive to the top of Pike’s Peak, and cross the Appalachian Mountains into Virginia. Many years ago I had the opportunity to spend a few night’s in the midst of the Rockies, and view the majestic mountains that surrounded me. To the southwest I could see Mt. Massive at 14,441 feet. Further to the south lay Mt. Elbert at 14,433 feet. Travelling west you are surrounded by the Mosquito Mountain range (with peaks rising 13,000 feet), and the Collegiate Mountain range (with Harvard, Princeton, and Penn Mountains, all over 14,000 feet). Those mountains stand as a mighty manifestation of our God’s creative power. Their very presence admits to the power of the One Who made it all. Let those who deny the existence of our God, or who question the literal account of Creation as set forth in Genesis 1-3, explain to us the origin of such majestic peaks. Only the fool would deny the great and mighty power of God. I weep when I think that those in control of the institutions of higher learning and public education deny the very One Who made all this, and that the next generation may very well look at these same mountains and declare that it all happened by blind chance, giving the glory, NOT to the God of Heaven, but to the foolishness of man’s anti-God philosophies. Now listen to the Psalmist. Because God is our Rock, as God’s children we are blessed with the following:
Confidence: “My soul waiteth in silence for God only: From him cometh my salvation” (verse 1). Here David expresses his absolute trust in God. He recognizes that God is the true source of deliverance and salvation. He perceives of God as his rock, salvation, and high tower, and expresses confidence that he will not be moved by the enemy. We have before us a man who had seriously contemplated his life, the condition of his soul, and, having taken stock of all of his resources, declared, “My soul waits in silence for God alone. It is from Him whence I derive my salvation.” Yes, God is our Rock; available to all, but sadly embraced by few.
Calmness: The Psalmist’s mind was at ease in knowing that all was in the hands of God. Consequently he would wait “in silence.” The idea is that the Psalmist had a sense of calmness. All was in the hands of God; Jehovah was worthy of his trust and confidence. Barnes captured the Psalmist’s sentiments: “The feeling is that which exists when we have entrusted all to God; when, having entire confidence in his power, his goodness, his wisdom, his mercy, we commit the whole case to him as if it were no longer our own” (Barnes, 167). The New Testament equivalent is found in 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your anxiety upon him, for he careth for you.” When once the soul realizes its complete dependence upon God for release from its troubles, the peace for which one seeks will finally be his to enjoy. “Such is the calmness – the peace – the quiet – the silence of the soul when all is left with God” (Barnes, 169). Several years ago a submarine was being tested and had to remain submerged for many hours. When it returned to the harbor, the captain was asked, “How did the terrible storm last night affect you?” The officer looked at him in surprise and exclaimed, “Storm? We didn’t even know there was one!” The sub had been so far beneath the surface that it had reached the area known to sailors as “the cushion of the sea.” Although the ocean may be whipped into huge waves by high winds, the waters below are never stirred. If we would find true peace we must “wait upon God” and let Him direct us by His word. In this connection Spurgeon noted, “Faith can hear the footsteps of coming salvation because she has learned to be silent” (Spurgeon, 48).
Completeness: I am using the word here to emphasize the fact that God, and God alone, is our source of strength. We find our completeness in Him. The emphasis throughout the Psalm is the complete and unique assistance that God gives to His children. The Psalmist was writing to friend and foe alike and telling them, “It is from HIM, and HIM ALONE that my salvation comes.” Our generation needs to learn this important lesson. We need to learn to listen to the voice of God as it is communicated in His holy word. Unfortunately the noise of the world often drowns out the voice of God. It is often the case that men fail to hear God’s message because they refuse to listen. Instead, they turn their ears towards every “wind of doctrine” that might blow their way (Eph. 4:14). They are enamored with the claim of modern day revelation as they seek for signs and wonders to confirm whatever ‘sophisticated silliness’ they wish to believe. The completeness we have in Christ is emphasized is such passages as 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3, and Colossians 1:28-29. No wonder the Psalmist declared, “He only is my rock and my salvation.” Old Testament history teaches us that God will not allow us to have His counsel mixed with the counsel of false gods. It is either ALL God, and ONLY God, or it is NO God at all. David would trust in none other, nor would he seek salvation from any other source. The New Testament equivalent is found in Acts 4:12, “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.”
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Courage: Because God was David’s “Rock,” he could courageously declare, “I shall not be greatly moved.” I don’t know who wrote the following, but it certainly captures the sentiments of a man like David who recognized God as his Rock and Tower in life:
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chincy giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, or slow up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till I drop, preach all that I know, and work till He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He’ll have no trouble recognizing me. My colors are clear! (copied into my personal notes in 2006; source not recorded).
In this life we will have tribulation. But it is the “big picture” that we must keep before us. The ultimate outcome will be victory, not defeat. We may occasionally be “moved,” but not “removed.” That victory is possible because God is our Rock!
By Tom Wacaster