Psalms 3-5
I love the simplicity of David's battle cries. Psalm 3 is a great example of one of them and another perfect model of Spiritual Warfare. Facts are facts. Often we cannot change them. When that is true we need to be able to confess them as facts and let God know your struggle. He already knows them so it's not like you will throw Him for a loop. He's not going to say "Wow, I just did not see that coming. Now what do I do?" On the contrary, when we tell Him our struggle He is able to say "I know my child. I know you are struggling with that. Hold my hand so that I may walk you through it."
The begins with David stating facts, that there is such a large number of foes against him and that many believe that God will not deliver him. But, while that is true, what did David say? He never doubted that God would deliver him as He promised. Instead He proclaimed that God is a shield around him.
What are the biggest problems in your life? It's possible, but I doubt it, that yours are bigger than David's. In 2 Samuel we find the account of what was happening when this Psalm was written. A relative of one of David's enemies was attacking and cursing David claiming that his current distress was from God as vengeance for past crimes. David could have listened and panicked. He could have just eliminated this annoyance. But, with God given wisdom, David simply says that if he "is cursing me because the LORD has told him to, then who are we to tell him to stop?" Later, he continued "My own son is trying to kill me! Why shouldn't this man from the tribe of Benjamin want me dead even more? Let him curse all he wants. Maybe the LORD did tell him to curse me. But if the LORD hears these curses and sees the trouble I'm in, maybe he will have pity on me instead."
The story continues that it was not in fact the LORD who was cursing David. While the leaders of armies debated about what was the best way to kill David, messengers were able to tip David off to the plans and replenish his supplies. In the time taken for the rebels to prepare for battle, David was able to assemble, organize, divide and instruct his own army who emerged victorious, delivering David from his enemies.
It isn't clear what David thought while this story unfolds. Clearly, it doesn't really matter. Satan CANNOT read our minds so our thoughts are not his concern. What is clear is that Davids words, whether publicly or in private, were positive and reflected what the LORD is able to do, not what man is limited to. In verse 8, "From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people." Today, deliverance may not be from a 10,000 man army trying to kill you. But, it could be from drugs, alcohol, anger, food, or a $10,000 debt. It doesn't really matter what we need deliverance from; David tells us that it comes from the LORD.
The begins with David stating facts, that there is such a large number of foes against him and that many believe that God will not deliver him. But, while that is true, what did David say? He never doubted that God would deliver him as He promised. Instead He proclaimed that God is a shield around him.
What are the biggest problems in your life? It's possible, but I doubt it, that yours are bigger than David's. In 2 Samuel we find the account of what was happening when this Psalm was written. A relative of one of David's enemies was attacking and cursing David claiming that his current distress was from God as vengeance for past crimes. David could have listened and panicked. He could have just eliminated this annoyance. But, with God given wisdom, David simply says that if he "is cursing me because the LORD has told him to, then who are we to tell him to stop?" Later, he continued "My own son is trying to kill me! Why shouldn't this man from the tribe of Benjamin want me dead even more? Let him curse all he wants. Maybe the LORD did tell him to curse me. But if the LORD hears these curses and sees the trouble I'm in, maybe he will have pity on me instead."
The story continues that it was not in fact the LORD who was cursing David. While the leaders of armies debated about what was the best way to kill David, messengers were able to tip David off to the plans and replenish his supplies. In the time taken for the rebels to prepare for battle, David was able to assemble, organize, divide and instruct his own army who emerged victorious, delivering David from his enemies.
It isn't clear what David thought while this story unfolds. Clearly, it doesn't really matter. Satan CANNOT read our minds so our thoughts are not his concern. What is clear is that Davids words, whether publicly or in private, were positive and reflected what the LORD is able to do, not what man is limited to. In verse 8, "From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people." Today, deliverance may not be from a 10,000 man army trying to kill you. But, it could be from drugs, alcohol, anger, food, or a $10,000 debt. It doesn't really matter what we need deliverance from; David tells us that it comes from the LORD.