Scripture reading: Mark 1:14-20.

Sermon text: Psalm 62.

If you’re facing uncertain times, you’d better stand on a firm foundation.

David, king of Israel from 1010 to 970 B.C., knew more about uncertainty than most of us fortunately will ever experience. In his lifetime, David dodged the assassination attempts of king Saul, defeated Israel’s enemies, and forged a kingdom that stretched from the Euphrates River to Egypt. In the process, David learned to trust in his unfailing God, a God who had redeemed His people from slavery in Egypt, given them a land He had promised to their ancestors, and established his kingdom in peace.

The sermon passage today, Psalm 62, contrasts David’s confidence in God with the enemies who would seek to overthrow him and destroy God’s people. The confidence displayed by David continues to speak to everyone who trusts in God for salvation and protection.

David composed this psalm around the theme expressed in verses 1 and 2: “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

Many people in David’s time, and today as well, express their nervousness by talking. You can determine their nervousness by the number of words they use; the more their fear, the more they talk. In contrast to this habit, David waited “in silence” for God to work in His life. David knew that God would work to protect him, because God had done so again. David’s “salvation” came from God. By “salvation,” David referred to more than the spiritual deliverance from sin. In the Hebrew mind, salvation encompassed physical deliverance from danger as well. David knew he could rely on God for protection because God alone “is my rock and my salvation, my fortress.” David knew the walls of Jerusalem would not prevent his enemies from killing him; after all, he had conquered Jerusalem in spite of its defenses. God would serve as his protection, and in God would David trust for protection.

David had good reason to trust in God; his enemies resided in both inside and outside Israel. Any powerful official will attract people jealous of that power. These people sometimes attempt to overthrow the powerful and replace them with someone more malleable. These people attacked David, thinking of him as a “leaning wall, a tottering fence.” David’s enemies planned “to thrust him down from his high position.” These people, although they supported David to his face, “take pleasure in falsehood; They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.”

David knew he could rely only on God. After repeating his theme, David contrasted God with the scheming vultures who swarmed around him. “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” David could trust everything God had told him. God had promised David He would establish David’s descendants on the throne of Israel (2 Samuel 7). David trusted in God’s promise because God had fulfilled His word to David throughout David’s life. God had taken David from the shepherd’s pen to the throne room. God had established His word to David.

Compared to God, “Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.” The people threatening David, and those who would betray him for even a slight advantage, would not last; they would not stand in times of trial. These people had tried to bribe their way to power, but David understood their lame attempts to compromise his values. “Extortion” and “robbery” often seemed like shortcuts to power, but David knew riches lacked lasting value. “If riches increase, set not your heart on them.”

David closes the psalm with the real truth of authority: “power belongs to God.” God raises nations and leaders, and He destroys nations and leaders. In His sovereign rule, God has determined the futures of nations and peoples. This truth did not bother David, because He knew that “steadfast love” formed the core of everything God did. This “steadfast love” (in Hebrew “hesed”) constitutes an unchanging, covenantal love that God has promised to Israel and to all who trust in Him. This love is a hallmark of God’s relationship with humanity.

In a final blessing to those who trust in God, and as a warning to those who would try to undermine him, David ended the psalm by saying, “you will render to a man according to his work.” God always judges correctly and justly. Only by God’s grace will we not receive our just punishment for our sins.

This psalm has encouraged God’s people for millennia. It also ties in very well with the Scripture reading today out of Mark.

In today’s Scripture reading, Jesus called 4 men to follow Him in His ministry. These 4 men — Simon, Andrew, James, and John — became the core of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus had called them as “fishers of men.” These 4 men, and those who joined them as Jesus’ apostles, spread the gospel of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension after He ascended to heaven.

As the Church spread the gospel, countless believers have found refuge in the grace of God through Jesus. Rather than face judgment for their works, Christians have received grace by believing in Jesus, confessing Him as Lord and believing in His resurrection.

Throughout the history of the Church, her enemies have attacked believers and tried to stop the spread of the gospel. Believers throughout time have found their salvation in the gospel of Jesus. In the gospel, believers have found a refuge in God’s protection and provision.

Some people have gathered around the Church as sycophants swirled around David, attracted by the power and wealth she has accumulated. Those people have swindled believers and abused their authority. Those who abuse their power will find a just judge in Almighty God.

Believers have found that, as David understood, God will protect His people; He will serve as a refuge and a fortress in times of trial. The hagiographies tell story after story of missionaries miraculously defended, of Christians delivered from danger, and believers delivered from trials.

In times like David’s, God proved His faithfulness and steadfast love of His people. In times like ours, God will continue to protect His people through His steadfast love.