Tottering Wall or Unshakeable Fortress?

This is the first GEMS Sunday since 2019!

Everything has been turned upside-down. GEMS has changed, school has changed, get-togethers have changed, YOU have changed in 3 years. Some of you might not even remember what “normal life” was like. It’s a bit unsettling b/c as soon as you get used to the new normal, it changes again.

Can I tell you when I fell in love with this Psalm? I was 17 and my brother got sick – seriously ill. In the trips back and forth to Sick Kids Hospital and helping my parents and sisters keep their delicatessen running there were a lot of ups and downs. Ps 62 describes people as a leaning wall, a tottering fence – that’s what I felt like.

Ps. 62 invites fragile people to stand w/ God b/c he is unshakeable. The goal is to make you strong and unshakeable. With all the ups and downs of life, you need a solid place to stand so you don’t get toppled. You can’t rely on yourself or on your friends; even your parents and guardians need help to stand firm.

The people who wrote Ps 62, who sing Ps 62, point to God. He is stable and secure. God can make sure you will not be shaken. Vs 2 says:

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2 (NIV)

God is 3 things: my ___, ____, ____.

So, I will never be ___________.

Let’s unpack this! God is my rock. In what way is God a rock?

First, let’s be clear. Can’t think “pebble” here. Not “stone” either. When you think of God as a rock, you’ve got to think, “boulder.”

God is solid, firm, and immoveable in a way that makes him steadfast. He’s always going to be there. God was reliable 100 years ago for your great, great-grandparents and great-grandparents. He’s reliable for you today and tomorrow.

What’s the second one? God is my SALVATION.

This makes all the imagery personal. A rock might be solid and steady, but do rocks care about you? If God is your salvation, he rescued you. He saved you from danger. He’s full of mercy & love.

All of us have said and done things that we’re ashamed of. Unkind, hurtful stuff to sisters, brothers, or classmates. Rudeness to parents or teachers. Or times we haven’t given God the respect he deserves as Creator of the heavens, earth, sea, and everything in them, honour as Heavenly Caregiver, and reverence Lord of lords.

Does anyone know the theological term for not living up to God’s standard? SIN.Sin leads to death, b/c it breaks friendships and families. It cuts us off from God, the source of life, joy, wholeness.

Ps 62 says God is my salvation. Jesus’ name = Saviour b/c he saves us from the punishment for our sin.

We’ve just been reminded on Good Friday: Jesus, 100% God & 100% Human, was arrested, crucified and buried. He died on the cross to save you from punishment, rescuing you from being cut off from God and eternal life.

Jesus is our salvation b/c he rose from the grave. His resurrection proves that sin and death are defeated. By faith you can be raised to life with God, life for God.

What would stop you from accepting God’s rescue plan, esp. b/c it means you are adopted into God’s family? What’s not to like about gaining a place you are cherished and encouraged to grow into the woman God designed and created you to be. Connected with others, not just b/c you’re related but b/c you’re on a journey of faith together. God is your salvation!

What’s the 3rd word? God is my FORTRESS.

This is totally related to the strong, steadfast word picture of rock. Years ago, our family visited the Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, NS. Once upon a time it was Canada’s main seaport. The fortress is huge: enormous walls! Built to protect people from cannon-fire from enemy ships.

The singer of Ps. 62 says God is like that: a refuge; a secure place. Comparison to how fragile people are. Remember how the song describes people?

How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Psalm 62:3 (NIV)

When storms come, a fence might totter and a wall might lean but a fortress is built to withstand hurricanes and cannon-fire. You’re invited to find safety and security in God as your fortress, your salvation, your rock.

It’s no guarantee that nothing bad will happen. It’s a guarantee that when bad stuff happens, God is present to strengthen you. The Lord is dependable like a rock.

Why?

Ps. 62 ends with a cool reminder of why we can trust the description of God’s character and care.

One thing God has spoken,

two things I have heard:

“Power belongs to you, God,

and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”

Psalm 62:11–12a(NIV)

Many years ago, Christians were inspired by God’s power and unfailing love that they included it in their confession of faith. HC Q&A 26 builds on the same idea:

I trust God so much that I do not doubt

he will provide whatever I need for body and soul,

and will turn to my good

whatever adversity he sends upon me in this sad world.

God is able to do this because he is almighty God and desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.