Young individuals nowadays encounter considerable obstacles in forging their careers, perceiving the world as an intensely competitive environment. Professionals in the business sphere frequently employ diverse analogies to underscore the significance of investing resources such as money, skills, and time judiciously. Simultaneously, individuals from various backgrounds engage in fierce competition to obtain the latest technologies and enhance their standard of living. Nevertheless, it is crucial to reflect on the following: What is the origin of this culture of competition?
It is we, the human race, who have nurtured this spirit of competition, despite the abundant blessings bestowed upon us by God. Driven by this competitive spirit, we tirelessly strive to outdo one another, often neglecting the presence of the Creator. The innovators often revel in the spotlight, overshadowing the Creator’s contribution. As humanity covers the Light of the world, they unwittingly choose to reside in darkness. Nonetheless, it remains an indisputable universal truth that darkness can never extinguish the light.
Salvation Belongs To God
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
For many people, the idea of finding rest in God is often considered something that happens after death, with little thought given to finding rest for their souls while they are still alive. The widespread concept of salvation only truly took hold after the resurrection of Jesus, an event that was previously almost unimaginable. However, the Psalmist had personally experienced this, as is clear from his writings.
Whether the Psalmist understood salvation as protection from his mortal enemies or from the sin that leads to eternal death is a point worth pondering. Nevertheless, God always uses our everyday earthly concerns to explain His heavenly truths. The Psalmist recorded his experience of finding God as his fortress, a source of security. How long will it take for us to find God as our fortress?
How long will you assault me?
Psalm 62:3-4 (NIV)
Would all of you throw me down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
It is a common query to inquire, “For how long will my distress endure? Why does it appear that God is not heeding my prayers? Why am I unable to uncover resolutions to my difficulties?” For numerous individuals, the response remains elusive, as they persist in allocating their time to associations with individuals who do not comprehend their authentic selves. Some still repose their faith in people rather than in God. After withstanding the test of time and proving themselves untrustworthy, many individuals develop a deep-seated resentment and embrace frustration.
God continually advises us against investing our time in untrustworthy individuals, urging us to place our faith in Him instead. Despite this, we are not instructed to harbour hatred towards them; however, our experiences often lead us to swiftly develop such feelings. Even in the face of their untrustworthiness, God instructs us to show them love. Placing our trust in God grants us the ability to discern the true nature of individuals, a capacity only achievable by ascending to a higher spiritual ground.
Associating with untrustworthy individuals blinds us to their deceit, preventing us from recognizing their insincere behaviour. Although we cannot ascertain how long it took David to realize this, it serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us not to squander excessive time in identifying those who betray our trust.
Pour Out Your Hearts To God
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honour depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV)
The Psalmist, having gained a deep understanding of human nature and feeling the oppression of those around him, made the conscious decision to relinquish his trust in people entirely and break free from a place of insecurity. In doing so, he urged those who may have contributed to his suffering to instead place their trust in God. Despite his innocent intention to share his wisdom, they responded with envy and hostility, failing to embrace the ways of God. When those we seek to guide in the ways of God turn away, it is wise to redirect our efforts and accept the new tasks that God assigns to us by pouring out our hearts to Him.
Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie.
Psalm 62: 9-10 (NIV)
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
The Psalmist understood the equality of God over the poor and the rich. Even today, some people wrongly believe that riches guarantee salvation and poverty signifies a curse. Furthermore, certain preachers position themselves as wealthy while portraying their listeners as poor, desiring them to remain in this state both in earthly and heavenly matters, to assert control for their own gain. The Psalmist emphasizes the importance of not placing one’s trust in wealth, especially through extortion.
The worldly culture of competitiveness has infiltrated the church, leading believers to exploit each other’s spiritual experiences instead of nurturing their own. This trend poses a significant threat to the community of churches today. Extortion has led people to rely on rituals or the spiritual experiences of others, falsely assuming that they are spiritually advanced. Despite God’s reminders to seek spiritual wealth, worldly riches continue to flourish within ministries. Immature believers exploit the resources of thriving ministries, neglecting to devote time to their own spiritual development through a genuine relationship with God and servanthood as exemplified by Jesus.
Multidimensional Communication
One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:
Psalm 62:11-12 (NIV)
“Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
The Psalmist has conveyed his encounters with a multi-faceted form of communication through the double-edged sword. The living word possesses infinite dimensions, capable of delivering people from all forms of sin, regardless of magnitude. On the day of Pentecost, individuals heard the Gospel proclaimed in various languages. What we read yesterday takes on new meaning today. This power is vested in God, and cannot be constrained to suit our convenience or to provide comfort to tepid believers by distorting the word of God.
Here, the Psalmist heard God saying, “Do not put your trust in men who have their breath in their nostrils,” and alongside this, he also heard God saying, “Love them as you love yourself.” Let us heed God’s words and receive His grace in abundance. We must never trade these powerful words to the devil in exchange for our desires. His words must be embraced in conjunction with His unfailing love, or the devil will distort them to deceive us. By standing firm on His word, God will always be faithful to reward us with eternal life.
Trusting people leads to envy as their provisions are limited. However, trusting in God enables us to love people, knowing that abundant resources are available through Him. That is why Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you (John 14:2)”?
Father God, we express our gratitude for the gift of the Holy Spirit,
bestowed upon us to safeguard our salvation
in this world full of jealous and grudges
and to present us faultless in Your glorious presence.
The Jordan Valley 
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