Psalm 3 - 7.15.24
Scripture
Psalm 3:3-6
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
Observation
This Psalm was written by David and apparently, he wrote it when he was fleeing from his own son, Absalom.
“King David's son, Absalom, had killed his brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar. Then he led a rebellion against the king and drove him out of Jerusalem.” (John Piper on desiringgod.org)
“David complains to God of his enemies, and confides in God. (1-3) He triumphs over his fears, and gives God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort. (4-8)…David's faith became triumphant. He began the psalm with complaints of the strength and malice of his enemies; but concludes with rejoicing in the power and grace of his God, and now sees more with him than against him.” (Matthew Henry commentary on Christianity.com)
King David recognizes that God is his shield, the lifter of His head and his sustainer. As a result, he does not fear his enemies, which in this Psalm, was his own son.
Application
Use our trials to draw us closer to the Lord, not further away.
I’m reading this book called, “The Gospel for Disordered lives” and loved this quote in it:
“Quite often Western Christians believe that God is good because their circumstances are good. Their experiences become their authority over the Word of God. This wrong thinking may not even be recognizable until negative experiences arise to test them.” (pg. 313)
Maybe you’re not going through enemies pursuing you, just like King David was, but rather trials of a health issue with yourself or a loved one; marriage trials; a loved one passing; financial/work trials; family or other relationship issues, etc. Whatever it may be for each of us, continue to draw close to the Lord.
Right now, we are in the 5th day of our Rooted prayer and fasting challenge. If you haven’t joined us yet, it is not too late! Continue to press into the Lord, especially when going through trials! He is the lifter of our head and sustains us with His strength. When we call out to Him, He will answer us through prayer and His Word. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” -Matthew 5:6
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being my sustainer and the lifter of my head. Thank You that no matter what circumstance is going on, You remain good and the same. I pray that I would continue to press into You through this time of prayer and fasting and that You would reveal Yourself to me. May my focus shift from my problems and circumstances to You alone. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
This is my favorite worship song to listen to to shift my focus away from myself to Him: “High Above” by Parachute Band.
https://youtu.be/ploAkX4pzGA?si=QwUnq5EMFCuF_bZW