The following Psalm was written by David as he fled from Absalom. “Jehovah, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there are that say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. But thou, O Jehovah, art a shield about me; My glory and the lifter up of my head. I cry unto Jehovah with my voice, And he answereth me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; For Jehovah sustaineth me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people That have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Jehovah; save me, O my God: For thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongeth unto Jehovah: Thy blessing be upon thy people” (Psa. 3:1-8).
How well we sleep sometimes indicates how much we really trust the Lord. David said, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; For Jehovah sustaineth me” (v. 5). We may think we can do that anytime. But what if we had been where David was? He was fleeing from his son Absalom, who had turned against him and had driven him from Jerusalem. Now David was in the wilderness with his army. It would be difficult to lie down and sleep knowing that you are in a dangerous wilderness and that your own son is against you. Oh, it wasn’t the physical danger that kept David awake. He knew God would protect him. It was the inner spiritual and emotional agony of having his own flesh and blood trying to seize the kingdom from him.
But David said, in effect, “Lord, You are able to give me peace in my heart, the protection I need, the perspective I need. You are able to help me in the midst of this difficult situation.” The heart of every problem is really the problem in the heart. David knew that it was not the army on the outside that would keep him awake but the agony on the inside.
This psalm starts with David’s cry, “Many are they that rise up against me” (v. 1). He is pleading for help. The psalm ends with David’s singing a song of praise, “Salvation belongeth unto Jehovah: Thy blessing be upon thy people” (v. 8). Your day might begin by your pleading for help. But if you are trusting the Lord, it could or should end by your praising Him for the help He has given you.
Difficult circumstances often rob us of our peace and our perspective. When you find yourself in adverse circumstances, in the face of frightening consequences, or dealing with the hurt laid upon you by someone else – admit your trouble, confession your worries, acknowledge your hurt, and affirm your trust in Him. Then be encouraged that God protects you and gives you peace in the midst of the storm. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7)
I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul declared, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).
Remember, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; For thou, Jehovah, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” (Psa. 9:10). “Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass” (Psa. 37:5). “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psa. 56:3; ESV).
Think About It!
Have A Great Day!
Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
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