Psalm 3 –

You have been there.  I have, too.

Surrounded by trouble, misunderstanding, and discouragement,  life can rival Alexander’s day in the book “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” I think you can get the gist from the title.

Sometimes we blame other people.  Sometimes we blame God.

King David was covered up with trouble in his lifetime.  Psalm 3 is a prayer he wrote during one of his hardest periods – a time when his child rebelled.

Absalom, his son, staged a coup to dethrone David and take over the kingdom.   Although David was surrounded by soldiers and servants, he struggled to know whom he could trust.  In fear for his life, David fled Jerusalem.

The psalm tells us David’s mindset – Psalm 3:1  Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. ² Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

Have you ever felt that way?

But then we see David’s response – ³ But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. ⁴ I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. ⁵ I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. ⁶ I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

While he was running for his life, from his own son, David knew where he could get help.  His prayer acknowledged

• God’s protection (shield);
• God’s encouragement (lifter of my head);
• God’s responsiveness (I cried, and He heard me);
• God’s sufficiency (I slept and awaked, for the Lord sustained me);
• God’s protection and provision (in verse 7, he used the past tense to describe God’s victory over the enemy; in verse 8, David proclaimed God’s salvation and blessing)

You can read the story of David and Absalom in II Samuel 15 – 18.  It isn’t pretty, but we can identify with the sorrow, and the family troubles, and fear that wind through the events.  David’s heart is broken.

Since sin entered this world, there has been trouble.  King David with all his riches and power experienced it, and we will too.

God gives us hope and assurance, because he puts a ‘but’ (see verse 3) in trouble’s dominion.   He intercepts and says, ‘this may hurt, but it won’t win’.

We, like David, can claim God’s victory while we are in the battle.  The victory does not rest in our ability but in Who God is.

God’s provision didn’t just belong to King David.  Whether trudging through trial or passing through peace, God promises the same provision to me – and to you.

I am thankful for that.