PSALM 3

By Jemima Rayan

The third Psalm of David is so profound. One can relate to David when faced with trouble, affliction and pain. The King David faced giant of a problem each time. The King of Kings said in His word in John 16:33, "In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The great king David cries out to God when he fled from Absalom, his son who wanted to kill him. We see David saying in Psalm 23:4, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me".

David being a man of God's own heart went through tough times in life. David like you went through hardships and difficulties. But the really nice thing about David is that he runs to God and not away from God. We hear people questioning God when an adversity hits. They start wining and complaining, why this? Why that? Why me? See friends, it is very easy to throw in the towel and quit. But it takes real courage to stand strong and face the trouble with the help of the Lord God Almighty.

Lessons to learn from Psalm 3:

1. He does not hide his problem:

The first thing people often do when they confront tough situations is just sweep under the rug. They do not want to acknowledge what has happened. Another set of people just go to all the people they can and tell it over and over again. They tend to dwell in the problem. Both are not right according to the Word of God. David says in Psalm 3:1 and 2, 'Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me, Many are they who say of me. Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." We need to run to the Lord when we see danger on our way. David faced people that were not fair to him. David was surrounded with people that were so judgmental all the time. But that is when David ran to the Lord for help. There is always help in God. He is the ever-present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1)

2. He acknowledges who God is:

Instead of doubting God and asking God for explanations, David says, in verse 3, 'But You O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the one who lifts up my head". There may be times in your life when you are so discouraged and troubled that you head drops down. May be it is a shame or a reproach. Fear not! You have a God who will lift up your head. He will make you stand strong and will be a shield for you. The Lord God will protect you. The Lord Himself will become that shield for you.

3. He cries to the Lord

It is one thing to pray and another thing to cry out. People who cry out do not have any problem raising their voice. Nor do they have a long list of prayer points. They have just one and only one thing to cry out to God about. David says, "I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill". Our God is a prayer answering God. Our God will hear your cry the same way he heard David.

4. He rests in God

This is so important. David learnt to rest in God after he has poured out his agony to the Lord. Are you resting in the Lord after you have given your petition to Him? That is what will position you in a place to receive. Verse 5 says, 'I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me'. David did not get all tensed up. He was resting in the Lord after he cried unto the Lord. That is the blessed assurance that we have as children of the Most High God.

5. He has a good confession

David did not make any negative confession. He said in verse 6, 'I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around'. David boldly declares that he will not be afraid. Do you say words that are filled with confidence? Your words are so important. It can bring faith of bring fear in a person. So we must learn how to say faith filled words like 'I will not be afraid', I will not be dismayed, The Lord is on my side, The Lord is my strength and the like.

6. He declares the works of the Lord

Psalm 118:17 says, 'I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord'. David had a life and death situation but he learnt how to declare the work of the Lord. He says in Psalm 3:7, 'Arise O Lord; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly'. One cannot talk well if the teeth is all broken. And, definitely cannot utter a word when the cheekbone is broken. That is what our God can do. It may not be possible for us to quiet every mouth that talks against us but it is possible for God to quiet the enemies.

7. He gives God all the glory

Psalm 3: 8 says, 'Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people'. Salvation means deliverance. Finally, David saw how the Lord delivered him from all his troubles. David gives God what belongs to Him.

Remember, Psalms 34:19 says, 'many are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivers him out of them all'. You may be in a place where the troubles you are going through are overwhelming. The Lord has promised that He will deliver you out of them all. Just believe that. Trust in the Lord. You will see the deliverance of the Lord as David did. Amen!

May you see the deliverance of the Lord in Jesus' name. Amen.

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