Psalm 62:6 states, “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.”
On a church campout in the Cascade Mountains (“Church in the Hills”), I noticed a huge rock bluff. I hiked all around the back side, coming out on the very top of that mammoth rock. Suddenly I had a breathtaking view of the expanse below. I must have sat there fifteen minutes absorbing a different view of life. My cares seemed so small. God seemed so big.
King David was a great warrior, setting the bar high for all military men, ranking right up there with Joshua. He was also a great writer. Reading through the Psalms this time, I am amazed at how often David cried out to God for deliverance from his enemies, even Saul and Absalom.
In our text David states that God is his salvation and defense. He repeats it again in verse 6. He states it a little differently in verse 7, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” In this verse he notes his relationship with God, “In God.” You and I can be in God, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). This is what we call salvation. Salvation means very little until it becomes “my salvation.” If you are reading this blog and are not sure if you are in Christ Jesus, and walking after the Spirit, please stop reading and ask Jesus into your heart. This is the most important thing you can do in your life on earth. If you are still reading, and have some doubts, keep praying until you have the glory. David said that being in God was not only his salvation, but his glory. Oh how we need that glory. Jesus doesn’t just take us in, but He shares His glory with us!
We see in verse 7 that being in God—in Christ, who is God—we have solid-rock strength and refuge. Jesus is that rock! If David had such a wonderful relationship with God, then why did he cry out over and over for God to destroy his enemies? He no doubt understood the meaning of Deuteronomy 32, spoken by Moses. When Israel turned from God, he would allow enemies to overwhelm them, so that God’s people would cry out to their Rock to deliver them. In verse 27 God has a message for the enemies of Israel who think they are strong and that God has nothing to do with the battle. This is the false understanding of Israel’s enemies today. In verse 30 God makes it clear that they can only attack Israel because Israel’s Rock has sold them. Verse 35 makes it clear that vengeance belongs to God, and the enemy has their day coming. Verse 31 says, “For their rock is not our Rock.” Instead of relying on his own strength, David let God take vengeance. David said in Psalm 61:2, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Can you say today, Jesus is my Rock, MY ONLY ROCK?
