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If you were on the point of drowning in a river, you would not be interested in a nice polite call for help. This is the quality and type of prayer we read of in Psalm 3 at verse 3, as King David prayed when he was faced with serious opposition.

We need real answers to real prayers. Experience had taught David to cry to the Lord. David knew deep within his breaking heart that God would hear him.

God heard and his fear subsided - the strain eased - the pressure lifted - and there was something His soothing peace.

SELAH - We are told it means Pause - take it all in - let what the Lord is saying to you sink into your heart. (One of my friends once said that that was what David said when he broke a string on his harp – not so!)

When David prayed seriously, he was able to lie down and trust God and rest and sleep. David has an inward peace that gives him rest and relief and relaxation, and these are so essential.

God can deal with anxiety and inner turmoil.

David’s serious situation remained unchanged, but God had heard his prayer, and peace was flowing, and when he awoke he felt that God had sustained him.

This is what Jesus Christ offers us - rest in the midst of trouble - peace in the midst of turmoil - sleep when the winds and waves of life are raging - and when even members of our physical family are opposing us. That was David’s experience.

Verse 6 - You can almost see David waking up from his restful refreshing sleep. I will not fear the tens of thousands. There is courage and confidence. David was in real trouble. He appears to be surrounded. There seems to be no escape, except into the arms of God, like Israel today in many ways.

What was one man against ten thousand? Everywhere he looked he saw the enemy.

Verse 7 – But God was with him and he was able to say - I will not be afraid. Even with this reassurance in his heart he is too wise to venture on without prayer, and out come the words - "Arise O Lord!" He still needs God to take care of him. We all do and in every situation. Lord, all You have to do Lord is ARISE, and that will suffice.

His hope is in God. These people had spoken against David. They had been ready to devour him, but God had made them powerless.

Remember who lies behind all the enemies of the people of God.

The man filled with the Holy Spirit sees this, and discerns who is behind this activity aimed at him, and this enable a man in Christ to love his enemies.

They will not be able to inflict savage wounds or serious injury by biting.

David knew that the Lord would come and deliver him - their cutting words and searing comments would be dealt with - but nevertheless he had to go through this painful humiliating time.

We need not fear a frowning world while we rejoice in a prayer hearing God. We tell Him about what is troubling us. We share our problem with him, and we let Him minister to us. Allow Him to draw close, and await the very touch of the risen and living Jesus.

God wants to bless His People, especially when they are going through the hardest of seasons, or the driest of wildernesses.

And, the blessing of God is upon the people of God.

In Bible days, people understood the power of blessing – the ‘Jabez Prayer’ – or Genesis Chapter 12. Fathers would bless their children. Jesus would take children and bless them.

There is something so positive in blessing, as God establishes our future prosperity. Read again Galatians Chapter 3 verse 14.

Having preached on a topic such as we have in Psalm 3 it is uplifting and inspiring to sing a song like – "Because He lives I can face to-morrow". David knew the truth of that song and expressed it in different words at various times.

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

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