Psalm 62: Setting Our Hope On God ALONE

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." Psalm 62:5

So often we set our hope on the things of this world instead of in God alone. We all know that its true. We say that we place God first, but then something changes in our lives and it causes us to be anxious or angry, and we are left thinking if our foundation is fully set on God and God alone. In Psalm 62, David speaks of how God should be our only hope. Let us turn there to see how this is so.

David, in verse five of this psalm (quoted above), says that his soul waits in silence because his hope is found in God. This shows us where Davids trust, confidence, and hope were, that is, in God alone. Amidst even a difficult trial, which he seems to be in in the verbage of this psalm, he hopes in nothing but the Lord. However, we are left with the question: why? Why does David place his hope in God and in God alone? Now, I know what you're thinking: Duh! Because God is God! But before we think those pharisaical thoughts, let us all address that daily we are tempted to place our hope in things other than God. We could each use the encouragement from David for some reasoning behind why we should place our hope in God alone.

The answer to our question is found in verses 9 and 10:

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.

Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

Notice the bolded word: delusion. Why did David know that placing his trust in God and God alone was the right solution? Because he knew that all of the other "high estates," that is, great pleasures of this world were mere delusions. In other words, the things of this world overpromise and underdeliver. They boast of great things, but if one were to obtain them, he would be left empty and dry. The great things of this world are "lighter than a breath," meaning that they are quick, fleeting, and meaningless (see Ecclesiastes). This is why we hope and God: because he is the only one who will fulfill his promises.

I surely hope the application today is obvious, but let me take it down to surface level by asking this question: What is your foundation built out of? Is it built out of your relationships (family, friends, girlfriend/boyfriend, spouse, etc.), your accomplishments (grades, job, awards, etc.), your situation (happy circumstances), or the promises of God and the promises of God alone? I assure you, dear brothers and sisters, and I speak from personal experience: the promises of this world are but a delusion. They do not deliver what they promise to give. Therefore, set your hope in God and in God alone, I encourage of you today. Amen.