Imagine you are king of Israel, and one day you learn your own son is leading a rebellion against you. You know you can’t stay in Jerusalem, so instead you flee to the wilderness as in the days you ran from the previous king. Your son is erroneous to try to take the kingdom, not even being the rightful heir, but he still is strong and has led many Israelites after himself.
How would you respond?
This was David’s plight when he wrote Psalm 3. His circumstances seemed dire while facing Absalom’s rebellion, yet his confidence rested in the Lord.
“LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ Selah.” (Psalm 3:1-2, NKJV)
2 Samuel affirms this:
“Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city–from Giloh–while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.” (2 Samuel 15:12, NKJV)
David starts the psalm with an observation about his circumstances. Those who walk in God’s paths are not guaranteed favor with men. If anything, we are promised to face opposition (John 16:2), with people even challenging our confidence in God. David felt those taunts and the overwhelming number of those against him, yet he was unmoved.
“But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah.” (Psalm 3:3-4, NKJV)
God not only gives us defense; He is our defense. He is like a shield. He also lifts our heads, reminding us to keep our eyes on Him, and that He hears us despite the circumstances.
“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.” (Psalm 3:5-6, NKJV)
Imagine again fleeing to the wilderness in the face of rebellion. How restless would that situation feel? And yet again, God proved to be David’s help. The word here for “sustained” means to “prop up.” David wasn’t facing circumstances alone, but with God’s peace, as Isaiah says.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3, NKJV)
Yes, there were numbers against David, but he wouldn’t fear. He writes similar thoughts in another psalm:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. (3) Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:1-3, NKJV)
Perhaps he remembered all the other battles in which the Lord fought on his behalf. With the Lord, numbers are of no consequence (2 Kings 6 echoes this idea in an account about Elisha).
“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. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah.” (Psalm 3:7-8, NKJV)
David remembered that when he prevailed in any circumstance, ultimately the victory and salvation belonged to the Lord (Isaiah 43:11). The same goes today, not only in the physical world, but spiritually.
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NKJV)
We are not saved by our own doing, but only by God’s grace and through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. How good it is to know we can entrust our circumstances to Him!
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