Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Psalm 3:1-8
O LORD, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
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.
I cried aloud to the LORD,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
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.
Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the LORD;
your blessing be on your people!
King David’s life in Psalm 3 was a complete and utter mess. In the psalm we find him currently on the run for his life from his own son Absalom and many who revolted against him. Absalom was able to charm the hearts of many Israelites and convince them to set up a military coup to overthrow David so that he could be king. King David was still technically king at this point, but he was currently hiding in a cave in the middle of nowhere, betrayed by his own son and his own people (2 Samuel 15). In the midst of all of this turmoil, he pens this psalm. This raw and real chapter of his life highlights the realities of life and the truth that though trouble comes, God is still there. He is still in control.
David in his testimony of Psalm 3 gives us some encouraging truths to remember as children of God:
1) Troubles in life will come: Jesus himself says that in the first part of John 16:33 in that in this world you will have trouble. This is just reality as we all live in a fallen world. Trouble is going to come. As Christians we are not in anyway immune to trouble. There are many who teach that when you come to Jesus all your troubles will go away. That is the farthest thing from the truth! Whether it is heart-stressing seasons of life or seasons of grief due to loss, trouble indeed comes.
2) God is still there in the trouble: There is good news though friends. Though trouble comes, God is still there. Though David was hiding out in a cave and being chased by his son who wanted to kill him, he saw the Lord and the truth that He was there. David describes God as being a shield of protection for him, as well as an encouragement (the lifter of his head). Wow! The same truth applies for us here, friend. God is with you in the fire and in the flood. He is with you in the agony and in the strife. He is with you in the trial and in the test. He hasn’t gone anywhere nor does He plan on going anywhere. Be encouraged with that truth today. We don’t have to live as victims of our circumstance because the Victor over sin, death and the grave, Jesus Christ is walking with us through it all.
3) Our Response to God in our trouble changes when we know He is there: King David in that cave went from complaining to God about his situation to commending Him for who He was and what He was going to do (v.6-8). David went from seeing the vast amount of problems in front of him to having such a peace that he was able to sleep because He knew and believed in the Lord’s protection over his life. In the midst of him being on the run, he was able to rejoice in God’s salvation. Wow! When we are walking with the Lord in the times of trouble, we are reminded of the truth found in the second part of John 16:33 where it says “Take heart for I have overcome the world.” Our perspective changes when we know that the Lord is walking with us through the valleys of life.
The truth in your trouble today is that God is with you. What will your response be? You do not have to wallow in your trouble as a child of God. Instead, bring them to the Lord and trust in Him. Just like He had King David while he was in that cave, He’s got you my friend! Rest in that truth today.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear Lord, thank you for being the God who is over my trouble. I pray that I would rest in You today in light of the trouble I am in, trusting that You see me and you are in control. Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Samuel 16:7
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.