March 24, 2023 -- Psalm 3:1-6 -- The Psalm Series: The LORD a Shield around us

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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

3 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.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.

Psalm 3:1-6 ESV

Think about it. How many things mess with your sleep?! Worry can make you toss and turn and wake constantly. When you know you have people who are out to get you it can make your stomach sour and your head ache driving sleep from you. Look at what David is experiencing. The taunts of people who masqueraded as friends which proved to be so cruel. That threatens to shatter his sleep. It is all the more personal a betrayal and insult as well, since it is Absalom, his own son, who rose up against David and sent him packing from Jerusalem.

Look at the confidence King David had, even while on the run. The LORD is his shield. Think of Ephesians 6 where the shield of faith can extinguish all the fiery darts and arrows of the enemy. God Himself is the glory, that is, the victory for David. No matter what happened to him, throne restored or not, David knew his present and future were secure in the LORD.

The word “Selah” means repeat. Pause. Reflect. Let the words you have read soak in and know the LORD and His goodness as it is recalled by one who experienced it.

The LORD of heaven and earth gave to David the sweet refreshment of sleep. It was the sign of His blessing on David, even if his circumstances had not changed at all, the LORD is in control. The LORD’s purposes would be accomplished. What are you going through right now? What trials and problems? Perhaps, like David, the messes you’re waist-deep in right now are mostly of your own making. Or maybe not. Perhaps you have acted in innocence and enemies rose up anyways, opposing you because they hate Jesus. Know this: God has not abandoned you. In the storm and in all suffering, He is here.

O LORD, You are a shield all around me!
You are my glory, my victory, my hope and song!
You are the lifter of my head, so that I am not bent over in discouragement, but can see You and know You are near.
As you have answered in the past, O LORD, answer now, for the sake of Jesus, Your anointed One, our Champion. By Your Spirit, lead us in the way we should go, until Your mercy, and grace, and peace lead us into victory over all the circumstances of our lives and You, O God Most Beautiful, fill all our vision. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ohLfJDKSv0U
Casting Crowns—Praise You in this Storm (Acoustic Version)

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