God’s Protection, Salvation, and the Joy of Fellowship with God

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 61-63

 

Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

(NKJV)

 

Like many of the psalms written by David, these three psalms come from times of great struggle in his life. When God chose David as King of Israel, he was seeking a man after his heart (1 Samuel 13:14). These three psalms give us a glimpse into the heart of David and how he trusted God for his protection, salvation, and found joy in fellowship with God even in trouble. I hope looking into these psalms will give everyone peace in a chaotic world.

 

David starts Psalm 61 by asking God to hear his cry and listen to his prayer, offered because his heart is overwhelmed, asking God to lead him to the rock that is higher than him (Psalm 61:1-2). God has been a shelter and tower of defense for David throughout his life, with him vowing to abide in God’s tabernacle forever, trusting in the shelter of God’s protection (Psalm 61:3-4). David knows God hears his vows and that he has the heritage of those fearing the name of the Lord (Psalm 61:5). God will prolong the life of King David, as David abides before the Lord forever in His mercy and truth (Psalm 61:6-7). David concludes by vowing to praise the name of the Lord forever as he performs his vows daily (Psalm 61:8).

 

Psalm 62 starts with David saying he waits for God because salvation comes from Him (Psalm 62:1). David knows God is his rock, salvation, and defense, knowing he shall not be moved (Psalm 62:2). David’s enemies attack but will be slain like a leaning wall or tottering fence because they delight in lies, blessing with their mouths while cursing inwardly (Psalm 62:3-4). David continues to wait silently for God with expectation of salvation and defense, providing a rock of stability from which he will not be moved (Psalm 62:5-7). David urges the people to always trust in God, pouring out their hearts before Him for He is a refuge for us (Psalm 62:8). David issues a warning to men of low and high degree who are lighter than a vapor, weighed on the scales (Psalm 62:9). David also warns against trusting in oppression, hoping in robbery, or setting our heart on riches if they increase (Psalm 62:10). David has twice heard that power and mercy belong to God and that God will render or reward each person according to their work (Psalm 62:11-12).

 

Psalm 63 begins with David praising God as his God, vowing to seek him because his soul thirsts and his flesh longs for Him in a dry and thirsty land with no water (Psalm 63:1). David seeks to see God’s power and glory in the sanctuary (Psalm 63:2). David vows to praise God, lift his hands to Him, and find satisfaction in Him (Psalm 63:3-5). Because God has been his help, David remembers Him on his bed and meditates on Him in the night watches, rejoicing in the shadow of God’s wings, with his soul following close behind as God’s right hand upholds him (Psalm 63:6-8). Those seeking to destroy David will go into the lower parts of the earth, falling by the sword, becoming food for jackals (Psalm 63:9-10). David vows to rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 63:11).

 

Saul’s kingdom has failed, with God seeking a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), with David anointed as king (1 Samuel 16:1-13). These three psalms of David give us a glimpse into the heart of David, showing us,

• David’s assurance of God’s eternal protection (Psalm 61) – David finds a source of eternal protection in the Lord, which is why he cries out to God when overwhelmed, finding shelter under the wings of the Lord. In Psalm 91, the psalmist elaborates on the safety we find by abiding in the presence of God.
• David’s resolve to wait for the salvation of God (Psalm 62) – When this psalm was written, Jesus had not been born, died, or resurrected from the dead to provide salvation. However, David was familiar with the many prophecies regarding the coming Messiah (Genesis 3:15). David also had God's promise that he would eternally be on the throne of Israel and knew that it would not be him personally, but an heir. This psalm expresses David’s faith and expectation of salvation from God (Psalm 62:5).
• David’s joy in fellowship with God (Psalm 63) – At the time of writing this psalm, David is in the wilderness of Judah with King Saul trying to hunt him down and kill him. He may have been alone, fearing for his life, and believing everyone had deserted him. In this psalm, David finds joy in knowing that he has fellowship with God night and day (Psalm 63:6-8).

 

Romans 12:2 reminds us that we are to have hearts not conformed to the world, but to experience transformation through the renewing of our minds. Like David, we can know that we have,

• Eternal protection – Like David, we can have peace in a chaotic and evil world by trusting in God’s protection. Fear is an enemy of faith and a tool used by Satan to paralyze us, which does not come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear also causes worry, bringing doubt that God will provide and protect us, and something Jesus told us not to do (Matthew 6:25-34).
• Salvation from God – Unlike David, who was waiting for salvation, salvation is available for us through God’s grace and the work of Jesus on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9). We do not need to look forward to salvation like David did but can look back at what Jesus did on the cross. Salvation is a gift we receive when we genuinely confess our heartfelt belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10).
• Have joy in fellowship with God – The joy of the Lord is our strength, and what greater joy can there be than knowing we will be with Jesus for eternity (Nehemiah 8:10). David found joy in knowing he had fellowship with God night and day when in the wilderness of Judah (Psalm 63:6-8). Our joy is not only knowing we have fellowship with God night and day, but that we will be with God for eternity (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation, bringing protection, salvation, and eternal fellowship with God, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.