Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC

Psalm 3:1-8
O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord!
    Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
    you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
    your blessing be on your people! Selah

The story behind Psalm 3 is an amazing one. King David of Israel is the writer of the Psalm and at the point of writing was hiding out in a cave far from Israel. Why? Because he was currently on the run for his life. Yes, the same King David who slayed the wicked giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17); the same David who was known as a mighty warrior who had a hit song out which sang his praises for how great a military leader he was (1 Samuel 18:7); the same David who was known as a man after God’s own heart was on the run for his life. See, his wicked son Absalom in 2 Samuel 15 was known as a charming man, who ended up stealing the hearts of the people of Israel and in doing so he was able to lead a revolt to overthrow David. Absalom was able to corral enough troops to pursue David for the purpose of killing him.

Imagine being in a situation like what David was facing. Your own flesh and blood is leading an army to kill you and you find yourself on the run for your life, hiding in a cave. His current position is what is expressed in the first two verses of the Psalm. He found himself in a state of desperation. Have you been there before? You think the weight of the circumstance you find yourself in is too much to bear. You feel as though the storm of life will never end and you find yourself believing the lies from the enemy that there truly is no help for you in God. Then verse three comes along: BUT GODKing David had what I like to call a “but God” moment where the Lord remembered who He was and what He had done in His life. Though he was in a mess, He was in the hands of the Maker of Heaven and Earth who he realized was a shield for Him in times of trouble. His response was to turn to the Lord in prayer and he saw God meet him where he was. He went from being scared of what was ahead to being able to sleep at night because he knew the Lord was on his side.

Aren’t you thankful for the “but God” moments in your life? You and I can probably attest to several in our lives and in the lives of our families. “I was a lost sinner BUT GOD saved me when I repented of my sins and trusted in Him. “I did not know how I was going to make it through that season of life BUT GOD comforted me, gave me peace and I made it through.” “I did not know what to do BUT GOD showed up, showed me the way and I obeyed.” Listen, we all have those “BUT GOD” moments because God is good. He loves His children! He is the great deliverer and sustainer. For that reality, we ought to choose to worship Him.

Listen, today understand that though you may be in a mess like David was in Psalm 3, remember that you know the Maker and choose to run to Him in the midst of the mess instead of wallowing in why you are in the mess. Friend, though you find yourself in a storm, choose to look to the One who is over the storm and run to Him. He may not take away the storm but you’ll be able to worship in the rain because you know that God is on your side. My prayer is that today you would choose to praise the Lord for the “but God” moments of your life, knowing that whether you are in a mess, just coming out of one, or heading into one, God is still God and He is still good. 

SONG OF WORSHIP FOR TODAY: Goodness of God

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father Lord, thank you for your love for me. I praise you and thank you for the “but God” moments in my life up to this point. Help me to see and understand that I can trust You in every season of life because you are faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Samuel 3:10
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”