Ps 62 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.

I am sure that in all those parts of the world where Christ’s people are being persecuted this psalm is a blessing to their hopes and an encouragement to their faith. For all that power belongs to God; and also steadfast love. Therefore though it may seem that no one hears their cries, that they are people who wait in silence; yet they hold to God as the One who delivers them. Their faith shall not be shaken, for it rests on God, who is their deliverance and honour; their mighty rock, their refuge is God.

The world may not hear them but they can pour out their hearts before Him. Though they are despised and pushed into penury they know that there is no value in seeking riches, for power belongs to God; and steadfast love. And as God requites a man according to his work, so will their persecutors answer to Him.

We may also feel set upon, that we are like a leaning wall, a tottering fence, with enemies of life who are pressing to shatter us, making us leaning walls and tottering fences through sickness, frailty, loss of income, widowhood, homelessness, war, to name a few. Let the psalm speak to us:  Trust in God at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; for God is a refuge for us. Those who honour God, He will honour. Therefore rest on Him, for He is your deliverance; your mighty rock, your refuge.

These are not mere assuring words for they rest on a truth which is deeper that David’s own experience; they rest on Jesus, who, to me, is subject of the psalm. He stood silent before His enemies and judges. Matthew tells us in c27:12-14 that when Jesus when He was accused by the chief priests and the elders, He gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge - to the great amazement of the governor.” Where He is reported as speaking, such as when in c27:11 the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. He only answers to challenge the understanding of those who are judging Him. Jesus waits upon God.

He knows that His enemies – who, should be His friends and allies – have plotted against Him from the very beginning of His ministry. Thus Mark tells us in c3 that when Jesus healed a man with a shrivelled hand, the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

He knows that when such folk say good words to Him they are only playing false. As when the Jewish leaders sent some Pharisees and some Herodians to Him, saying “is it right to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not?” Jesus knew that they were really trying to trick Him, saying “Why are you trying to catch me saying something wrong?” [from Mark 12:13-27 ERV]

Jesus trusts in God alone. He encourages us to trust in God at all times, to pour out our hearts before Him, for He alone is our refuge. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. …  I will not leave you as orphans; …. . Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. [from John 14]

Neither people, nor riches can rescue us from our ultimate enemy, the Prince of this world, into whose maw we are led by our sin. Rather seek first God’s kingship rule and his righteousness, and all that you need will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:23

The phrases: ‘Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this’ is an ancient Hebrew way of emphasising a truth about to be spoken. Power belongs to God; and steadfast love. Power is not for seizing wealth, power is not for doing evil; power is not for promoting self: power is for love. Remember God requites a man according to his work.

Jesus is not speaking about our works, per se; the good things or the bad that we do, do we do more good things than bad, or more bad than good? He’s not talking of God keeping a balance sheet of our works. Rather He is speaking about the temperament of our nature, the desire of our hearts, the preferences of our being. Remember David’s own sins. Infamously He organises the killing of Bathesheba’s husband and a census without God’s approval. Yet though he sinned he was yet a man after God’s own heart. The work of his heart was to trust in God.

Bad things happen to God’s people in life. Jesus did not escape that truth, therefore how can we. But Jesus was utterly devoted to His Father’s will and way and kingship. And the bad things He suffered turned out to be blessings for us.

God’s people do bad things in life. Peter betrayed Jesus. He walked on the water. He died on his own cross for Jesus. But the work of His life was to trust in God.

When we trust in God at all times, even pouring our hearts out before Him, God will prove to be a refuge for us. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.