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by Sandy Shaw
In Psalm 3, we read of a man of God in trouble. These are the words of David the 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.
These experiences can and do appear in the lives of God's people.
The number of people who were against David appears to be increasing. The numbers rising up against him were growing.
David begins to tell God all about his troubles.
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 would. This was the word that broke his heart.
If you are involved in spiritual warfare and if you are finding life challenging and demanding, then this Psalm will speak to you. You will know what this is all about.
Which soldier of Jesus Christ has not experienced something of this at some time - if not most of the time - in varying degrees - the ridiculing cutting comments - the hurts hurled at us - the penetrating piercing words? David finds the situation as 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, even 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. Shimei has been scoffing. 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.
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)
v.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.
There are times when believers can make strong assertions, even when we know we are outnumbered. No-one escapes the attention of the enemy.
David had cried to the Lord God Almighty, and He answers me from His Holy Hill. There are times when we have to cry with desperate cries. He answered and answers the prayers of His Chosen ones. It is an aggressive prayer.
If you were on the point of drowning in a river you would not be interested in a nice polite call for help.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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