Psalm 3

            This is a Psalm of the morning. It is a Psalm of David, who was, by and large, a good king. But he wasn’t perfect. He did some things wrong. He was adulterous and even though he repented of this sin, there were things that came to pass in consequence of his wrong actions. His own son Absalom took it upon himself to get into such a position by deceit so that he could usurp authority in the nation. David did not correct Absalom properly and so, little by little, Absalom rose to prominence and power so that he brought civil war upon the land and David had to flee. David recognised that he had few amongst his number that could contest with Absalom’s army and so he fled, for the odds were stacked against him. But, following this Psalm, we learn that even though he was in such a dire situation, he was enabled to have a good night’s sleep! He awoke in praise to God, for He alone is Almighty.

[1] David in trouble.

            Sometimes people find themselves between a rock and a hard place. This is where David ended up. Some today may ask the question: how can troubles come to those who have put their trust in God, who are saved, and who are seeking to follow Him? We know surely whether we are young or old, in whatever circumstance, that believers face troubles. It may be in school, or in the workplace, or wherever you live and do your normal things. But Christians have additional troubles too, apart from the normal heartaches which are as a result of the fall. Christians can be left out of things, may not be free to share in the jokes told, and are separate on account of their walk with the Lord, and so face these additional irksome troubles. There is a tension because they are not part of this world’s order and ways even though they must mingle in the world. Troubles come in all sorts of ways. It may be through sickness, or on account of finances. It may be through ill health or advancing age. Now there are two kinds of troubles we can face.

[a] Troubles we bring upon ourselves.

[b] Troubles given to us.

David brought the trouble he faced upon himself. Absalom’s behaviour ought to have been challenged and corrected. Now when we put a foot wrong and commit sin, and then repent, even though our sins are all paid for by Christ, He does allow the consequences of our sinful actions to play out as chastisements upon us.

            Now there are troubles that we do not bring upon ourselves. If we face a difficulty, and if after examining our hearts we see nothing which needs repenting of, and we are suffering, then we must realise that even though this is not consequential from a sinful act, it is nevertheless given to us. We are, and always will be, under the sovereign hand of the Lord. This trouble is not a punishment from the Lord, although He may be using it to chastise or correct us, to sanctify us. We know that all sins are fully paid for by Christ. He was judged in our place. So there is no thought of condemnation or judgement at all. Troubles come to enable the Lord to bring us into conformity to His Son. These troubles are there to bring in growth. They are brought to us to bring in our spiritual growth. Whatever the difficulty may be, do remember that the Lord knows all about them. Even those internal struggles and troubles that cannot be spoken nor shared, know for sure that He understands and knows them truly. These difficulties and troubles are not to lead us to despair. They are not hopeless, they are not random, but are necessary for our spiritual growth.

            The process of growth is often hard. When I was young my mother dressed me! She used to say: ‘vest in pants, shirt in trousers’ to ensure I got everything tucked in properly! But now I can dress myself. I do not need my wife to come in and help. I do not struggle to get my socks on! I have grown. All of these troubles are designed by God to bring about growth. They lead us not to independency but to deeper dependence upon God.

[2] David at prayer.

            David is at prayer. When he wakes in the morning his first thing is to pray. He cries out ‘O Lord.’ What is the first thing we do when faced with trouble? We ought always to cry out to the Lord. In this modern age we tend to rely on our phones, or on ‘Google’ don’t we? As youngsters perhaps we called out ‘mum!’ or ‘dad!’ when in trouble and danger. We need to call out to the Lord as David did.

            Sometimes people act in a petulant manner and slam the door or blurt out in anger when faced with trouble. Some blame God for the situation, thinking (wrongly) they are beyond reproach and should not have to face this trouble. But as David experiences this trouble he is moved to prayer and he is brought to blessings! He discovers that in the place of true prayer he notes those things which God has done and is still doing.

[a] God is a shield, (v3).

            The first thing David observes in the place of prayer is that God is a shield to him. However great the trouble may be the Lord is David’s protector. Nothing can get to him save that which the Lord uses for his sanctification and growth. God is good and only does good. So He protects David but allows some things to come which will hone him and cause him to rely more upon the Lord.

            When I was in primary school we used to play a game of imaginary fighting. One would come up and pretend that he’d shot an arrow to me claiming it had met its mark, but I would reply ‘my chain mail has saved me!’ Undeterred my friend would say ‘I have a machine gun so you must be dead,’ and I would reply ‘but I am wearing armour plating.’ This game would soon escalate to ridiculous heights involving nuclear weapons and lasers, until it came to a point in which it was impossible to carry on when one of us would say ‘I have an infinite measure of protection and the ultimate weapon against all opponents’! There was no beating that! Now the point is that as Christians we do in fact have the ultimate protection against all opposition! God is truly our protector and nothing can get through Him! Nothing can harm you, and nothing can happen to you, except that which the Lord allows, and that for our ultimate good. Satan is not all powerful. He does have some power but he is defeated and defenceless against the Lord.

            We have trouble and difficulty. These are painful and they are real. But the Lord has the victory over all. He has made us secure as we are taken through such troubles and difficulties. This shield is all around you. There is no chink or gap. We may like to think of it as a ‘force field’ in modern thought, but it encompasses us all around. As a result we are enabled to move forward, to carry on, to live through these difficulties.

[b] God is the lifter up of our head (v3).

            David knows this truth in the place of prayer. We need to lift up our heads! We need to set our hearts and minds on the things above. Many hang their heads in shame when troubles come. Maybe they have lost money through no fault of their own. Perhaps they have been made redundant or other failures have reared their ugly heads. But in the place of prayer David knows that even if the kingdom is taken from him, even if none are with him, and even if there appears to be no hope, yet still the Lord is the lifter of his head.

[c] We are never far from God (v4).

            David mentions here ‘the holy hill.’ But he has had to flee from Jerusalem where the holy hill could be found! This was the place of sacrifice and worship. It had been settled in Jerusalem in the temple. But David recognises that it is not the literal site that is vital, but what it stands for in spiritual terms. David’s security does not lie in Jerusalem where the ‘holy hill’ was to be found, but in the Lord Himself and in that which the ‘holy hill’ showed forth – the death and resurrection of the Christ. So he was never far from God, even though he was no longer in Jerusalem.

[3] David at peace.

            David knew peace because the Lord was his shield. In verse 5 we see David can sleep. If we knew that many enemies were on the horizon I do not think we would hasten to sleep. But the Lord is such a shield to David that he can sleep and be at peace.

            Peace is linked to courage. A lack of courage is linked to those who do not know peace. So in his peace, David can now arise. Peace leads to an outward, onward march to glory. It leads us through the battlefield for God is our shield. In our long-term troubles we know we can move forward because the Lord has secured us, and He has given us all the love we need alongside His peace. David calls upon the Lord to bring about salvation for him. Are you sure that God has given you salvation? Are you sure that God is now with you? If not then maybe you have yet to really pray?

            We must rely totally on Him for safety, security, and courage, all of which we find in the place of prayer unto the Lord. In verse 2 the enemies taunt and bring doubts saying that there is no help or salvation from the Lord. But in verse 8 we read that salvation belongs to God. God is with us if we are His.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7).

Amen.