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Psalm 3 - where we are reading of a man of God in trouble. Last week it was Asaph the musician in Psalm 77.

These are the words of David, king of Israel. It is a time of personal and national crisis. Not only had some of the people turned against him - but his own son Absalom had turned against him.

David had been chosen and anointed and appointed king in Israel - and he is having to flee from people - he is on the run from his own son - and his heart is breaking.

Such experiences can appear in the life of God's people.

Psalm 66 verse 15 is almost a verse we could take as a ‘text’ for the whole Psalter – because this is what it is – men wrestling and battling with the vicissitudes of life. “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”

It is a moving thought that the Psalms we sing and read were all well known to Jesus. He pondered over them, and quoted them, and found his own experience mirrored in them.

When we meditate upon the Psalms we are drawing from the wellspring at which Jesus refreshed his soul. Jesus can lead us to understand these treasures more deeply and his sure voice can interpret for us their meaning.

Psalm 3 grapples with the grim anomalies and perplexities of life. If trouble has bombarded your mind with questioning, and your soul with doubt, then this Psalm is for you, because the Psalmist himself has been there.

The numbers rising up against David were growing. David begins to tell God all about his troubles – and troubles can come in flocks.

Many were saying - It is over as far as David is concerned. God will not deliver him. God will not help you this time. That must have been the unkindest words to reach his ears. David is facing an uphill battle - and there is a degree of self-searching.

It cuts David to the quick. This was a deep wound – breaking his heart.

If you are involved in spiritual warfare - if you are finding life challenging and demanding – then Psalm 3 will speak to you. You will know what this is all about.

David has been driven from his home – not only by some people – but also by his family – his son Absalom. This is treachery at its worst.

Rebels had dethroned David and driven him from Zion.

He was an outlaw – a stranger – an alien – without a home.

We have the details in 2 Samuel 15 – where we read of David walking up the Mount of Olives ‘weeping as he went’. This is the background.

How piercingly Jesus must have seen his destiny prefigured here.

Why had God, who had called David from being a shepherd in Bethlehem to the throne in Zion, not have kept him there secure?

Why should the Son of David, Jesus Christ, coming to his own world and to his own people in the fullness of time, have had nowhere to lay his head?

Why should life deal out so many unforeseen problems putting happiness at risk and running right counter to our plans and hopes and dreams?

This is not a solitary problem experienced by only one or two – emphatically not. All the saints have grappled with it. Jesus faced and fought it. As Jesus wrestled with this dilemma John tells us his sweat was like blood.

Embattled David speaks first to God before mentioning it to anyone else.

David, facing one of the mysteries of life, gets back to the God who called him.

Which soldier of Jesus Christ has not experienced something of this at some time - if not most of the time - in varying degrees - the hurts hurled - penetrating piercing words?

David finds the situation near to hopeless - and have we not all been there at some time? We all face adversity. This Psalm speaks of the very real struggles of life - in the lives of the godly.

It is this type of thing that makes us depend upon God.

We are reading of the ordeal David had to endure.

His son had betrayed him - the people of Jerusalem have rejected him.

It was all quite sudden and unexpected. Sometimes we can feel almost overwhelmed by opposition. The enemies of David appear to be circling around - as though preparing for the kill.

There is this strange silence of God.

There is no help from God for him! That is the devil’s taunt.

Come down from the cross – he trusted in God that He would deliver him – let Him deliver him now! Mark 15 verses 29 to 32.

David knew the reality of silence – so did Jesus. There is one difference – David almost began to believe that God would not deliver him. That was the worst of his plight – far worse than the loss of his throne and the vagabond life that would follow.

BUT - what a wonderful word ‘BUT’ is in the Bible - BUT God! - or ‘nevertheless’ - at thy word we will let down the nets. Luke Chapter 5.

Verse 3 – You are a shield around me. God is a circle of protection. You can almost feel your faith beginning to rise already. You are a shield around me - my glory - my defence - and the One Who lifts up my head.

Though I hang my head in sorrow YOU will lift it up. What a God we have.

He lifted up Paul's head many time - and down through the years HE has lifted us up. Have confidence in the presence of God.

He draws near when pressures increase.

This is the defiant reaffirming of faith.

It is not – ‘Lord, please be a shield. Lord, fend off the fiery darts of my foes and provide me with a shield.’ No – “You are a shield around me, O Lord.”

We have heard much about ‘shielding’ over these past four months.

Here is a man under severe pressure and cast down – and he comes to realise that God is all around him – shielding, protecting and preserving.

“Lord God, we give thanks for that knowledge that You are a shield around us – no matter what we might be facing or going through – and when You are silent may we truly hear what you are actually saying. We thank You for those who have heard your voice in times of ‘silence’ and have seen the light of Christ when days are dark.” Amen.

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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