Power Belongs to God

"Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. ¹¹ God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God."

Psalm 62:10-11

It is easy for Christians who trust God to begin to place their faith in other things.  Though our hearts are to be fixed on the LORD and our confidence in His Word, a subtle shift can occur.  That is a reason David exhorts the reader to not place our hope in uncertain riches.  Money brings with it the power to obtain but dollars can also exert power over any who discover comfort in them.

David wrote, "Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery..." and the English definitions of the original Hebrew words provide clarity.  I imagine very few of us would admit we "trust in oppression, " and oppression is translated from a word which is defined in the Strong's concordance as, "injury, fraud, distress, unjust gain."  There are people who rort government systems designed to help people by claiming injuries they do not have.  Some profit financially by deceptively tweaking the numbers on their income tax returns.  Through treachery such assert themselves for monetary gain, and they place their trust in cheating schemes rather than God.

"Robbery" is straightforward, and the Hebrew word is defined in the Strong's as "plunder, to take by force."  In David's day victorious armies had the rights to plunder their foes of homes, possessions, people, and livestock.  There were bandits and mercenaries always on the lookout for the next soft target and easy score, to profit at the expense of others because "might meant right."  The mentality of these raiders may be similar to those who hope in winning the lotto or by gambling -  even by through legitimate means.  These set their hearts on a massive windfall and fantasise how their lives would be better with stacks of cash.  Instead of placing their affections and hope in God, trusting Him to provide for all their needs, they set their hearts on uncertain riches.  Such rob God of His rightful place and make money a powerless idol which cannot love or save them.

The power to live, obtain, and provide all comes from God because all power is His.  It is a good place when we do not lust after riches in our poverty, nor do we set our heart on them should God provide money bountifully.  In all seasons may we place our hope and trust in God, being grateful and thankful for His goodness towards us and the power of the Holy Spirit who works in us.  Money does not make a man powerful:  who is powerful compared to God?  Riches may open doors for men, but Jesus Christ opens doors none can shut and doors He shuts none can open - and when He walked the earth He did not even have a house or bed to call His own.

Power belongs to God, and may our hearts remain fixed on Him!  Those who place their hope in the LORD are wealthier than the richest men and women on earth.