When have you ever felt you were in a hopeless situation? Usually these episodes are never forgotten by us, for it is then that our sense of security was threatened. What measures do people commonly take for fortification when this is the case? Do you remember ever experiencing God's protection? David did, and we're going to look at the unfolding of events during a bleak season in his life and discover what David learned…
Psalm 3:1-2 (KJV)
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise
up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for
him in God. Selah.
What prompted David to write this psalm was the fact that he found himself in quite a predicament! Here was a king who had to take flight from his own palace to hide from Absalom, his insubordinate son. And the Bible says many there were that rose up against David. Already I am reminded of our present generation when godly parents try to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The moment they begin to apply godly discipline upon their disobedient, wayward children the world comes against them for it! Today there are many agencies and individuals that would thwart Biblical methods of child rearing. Thus, godly parents are run off and the rebellious child is preferred!
Ladies, when the unrighteous come against the righteous and troubles mount up in our lives, we can begin to feel doomed as our enemies try to intimidate us, like with David. They told him there was no help for him in God, that the Lord offered no support in his problems. Although David was an oppressed righteous man, his confidence in the Lord was not shaken by the view others held of him or his God…
Psalm 3:3-4 (KJV)
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of
mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of
his holy hill. Selah.
Here David wrote that the Lord was "the lifter up of mine head." What a precious, tender picture of our heavenly Father! When we are oppressed, our heads do tend to hang low with the burden of our situation, especially as we start to lose hope! But God tenderly and lovingly lifts our head, causing us to look directly into His face, that we might find strength and confidence in Him. Are you looking directly into the face of God today, dear lady? Are you spending time in His Word so that He might raise your hopes and keep them up? Though your situation may be grave, there is no need to feel down trodden or alone – the Lord is with you! Hold your head high and place your trust in God's abilities! We should proudly and bravely show our enemies who it is we rely upon for full support. We find that as an active believer, the more David is beaten off from God by the trials of life, the faster hold he will take, and the closer will he cleave to the Lord! David knows in his heart God has not forsaken him because He trusts him completely. The Lord alone remains his hope. Is it that way with you when oppression comes upon your life - the stronger it gets the tighter you hold onto the Lord? Or do you begin to mistrust the Lord, loosen your grip, and then let go of Him completely…
Psalm 62:8 (KJV)
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him:
God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Ladies, the Bible says many are our enemies - even within our own household! The question is - are you as secure in the Lord's protection in the face of those enemies as David was? He described the Lord as a shield to him. How would you describe God today in your situation? Where are you getting your security when your enemies come upon you? Have you made the Lord your place of safety? Learn from David where to go....
Psalm 119:114 (KJV)
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
David's confidence was also exhibited in that his prayer life did not come to an end just because trouble was upon Him. So many of God's children quit talking to their heavenly Father when oppression comes their way, and this is precisely when their conversation with the Lord should increase! Scripture reveals that David cried unto the Lord during his difficulties and was confident that his prayer was heard. Does your prayer life prove that you are secure in the Lord today, dear lady? Or has fear stopped up your lips?? Prayer will help you combat those fears that crop up under oppression as you learn to completely turn all your concerns over to the Lord and rest in Him. Care and grief do us good when they hasten us to pray to our Father in heaven. Don't stop talking to the Lord, for it is a great mercy, when we are in trouble, to have our minds stayed upon Him!
Psalm 34:4 (KJV)
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Ladies, God's response to David's cries for help in the day of His trouble will also be God's response to our cries for help. The Lord will hear us! David always found God ready to answer his prayers and He has not changed – the Lord is just as ready to answer us. The question is, are we as quick to call upon Him as He is to answer?? How foolish we are to put off turning to the One who can deal thoroughly with the cause of our anxiety! Some people seek medication, some seek revenge, but David sought the Lord when faced with trouble and troublesome individuals. If we would react properly in our oppressions, we would find that God promises to deliver us just as He delivered David. It's the Lord's plan of order for bringing glory to His name…
Psalm 50:15 (KJV)
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou
shalt glorify me.
There is no way we can glorify God through our oppressions apart from calling upon the Lord first. In the day of distress we must seek the Lord in fervent prayer. Our troubles must drive us to Him, not drive us from Him! What direction have you been taking, dear lady?? Let's learn from David and take the path he took. We must acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, depending upon His wisdom, power, and goodness, and submit ourselves entirely to Him, and in so doing give God glory. Consequently, if we keep up our communion with God by meeting Him in prayer under our trials, we'll also keep up with our praises of Him through our deliverance! Yes, prayer leads to praise… By the way, when is the last time you praised the Lord for His protection? If we are truly secure in heavenly defense, there should be a performance born out of trusting the Lord. One of the ways that David demonstrated His faith in God's protection is found in verse 5 of Psalm 3, which says:
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Yes, David enjoyed a good night's sleep even though there were many against him. He didn't need people to side with him in order that he might rest peacefully, David only needed the Lord. Unlike us, this man didn't stay up all night pacing the floor - he went to bed, and he slept. I venture to say that David slept like a log, never even waking up once to worry or fear. I'll bet he never experienced an anxiety attack or longed to take Prozac to cope with the heaviness of his problems. David also didn't need to sleep with the T.V. on at night to comfort him. And he didn't need to run down to the local Christian bookstore for the latest publication relating to his situation - he had the Lord!!
Incidentally, how soundly do you sleep when there is trouble going on in your life? Can you put your body and your conscience to rest? If you’re going to make claims to having faith in God then demonstrate it like David did - go to bed and get a good night’s sleep! Disruptive sleep is a sign of a disruptive soul… Let your faith teach you how to sleep sweetly; wake up fully rested and ready to trust the Lord another day!
Psalm 4:8 (KJV)
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, ONLY makest
me dwell in safety.
Where anxiety would keep us wide eyed with worry, faith would tuck us in and kiss us goodnight! Ladies, I hope you give full credit to the Lord when you are able to sleep soundly in the face of opposition. No matter what turn events might take in your life, no matter how bleak the situation appears, we should be as ready as David was to show signs of total reliance upon God…
Psalm 3:6 (KJV)
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves
against me round about.
Check your heart attitude today… What is the condition of your spirit under trial? Are you able to join David in glorifying God through your hardships? Are you established in your faith in God, secure and willing to prove to your enemies that nothing can dissuade you of your trust in the Lord? Will you end up as David did, triumphant over your adversaries and confident in the Lord through it all? God inflicted the greatest pain and insult upon David's enemies. He smote them right upon the tenderest spot of all - the cheekbone. The Lord even broke their teeth and silenced their intimidations toward His servant! Yes, God saved David from it all…
Psalm 3:7-8 (KJV)
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies
upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation
belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people.
Ladies, Psalm 3 proves to us that David’s faith became triumphant! He asked God to save him, and God did! If you'll notice, David began this psalm with complaints of the strength and malice of his enemies; but he concludes it with rejoicing in the power and grace of his God, and now he sees more is with him than against him! What a blessing, amen? Don't you want that same vision? I do! Let's learn from David's example today how to experience God's protection when oppression comes. Let's allow our heavenly Father to deal with our enemies while we make sure to glorify Him!
Psalm 29:11 (KJV)
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people
with peace.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
