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Psalm 3:1-8
(Click or hover over the above Scripture reference link to read passage)
Psalm 3 was written by David, as he fled from his son Absalom. You can read more about this extremely dysfunctional family tragedy in 2 Samuel 13:1-18:33. In short, David’s third-born son Absalom murdered David’s oldest son Amnon, after Amnon raped Absalom’s sister (and David’s daughter) Tamar (Amnon’s half sister). Then Absalom successfully convinces the people to make him the king, causing David to flee for his life from Absalom’s armies. Talk about drama!
Psalm 3 is one of David’s prayers while fleeing for his life from his beloved son, after seeing his family fall into complete ruin. We find raw, honest emotion in this Psalm.
David laments the foes that surround him. He is overwhelmed.
His foes claim God has abandoned him.
But Yahweh (the Lord) is David’s shield! His glory! The One who lifts his head high!
David calls out to the Lord and he answers.
David can rest and sleep (even though he is still fleeing for his life). The Lord sustains him.
David is in the midst of tens of thousands of adversaries coming to kill him, but he won’t fear them (at least not in this prayer!).
He looks to God to deliver him.
Who lifts your head high?
Who do you call out to?
Who/what sustains you?
Who do you look to to deliver you?
We all have answers to these questions. For some, it’s social media. For others, it’s money. Career. Accolades. Sex. Women. Men. Video games. TV. Sugar. Popularity. Pornography. Fill-in-the-blank.
I’m reminded of Jesus’ graphic words in John 6:35, John 6:48-51, and John 6:53-58. Jesus is telling us we are to feed off of him every day the way we feed our bodies with food and drink. We are to nourish ourselves with his love and presence. He is to flow through our veins, on display in our thoughts and actions. When we no food to eat, Jesus is our food. When a pandemic and shutdown beats us down again, Jesus is our strength. When we face unemployment and financial crisis, Jesus holds us. When in David’s case, his own son is trying to murder him and steal his throne, he doesn’t look to his armies or his authority as king or to quick pleasure, he looks to God. He cries out to God. He wails, he shouts, he screams, then he worships, he prays, he rests.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
-Jesus in Matthew 11:28-29
Prayer for the day: Jesus I feed off of you. I feed off of your love for me. That I don’t need to find this love and acceptance anywhere else, because I already have it in you. I can stop striving. I can get off the treadmill and rest in your arms. Though the bullets fly all around me, you are my shelter. Oh Lord bring your deliverance. Sustain me. Strengthen me. Remind me of your might and power. Give me strength to not give up on you. Remind me that you are my hope. Remind me that you conquered sin and death and evil on the cross and in the empty tomb. Remind me that we win. That you’ve already won. Remind me that you’ll never give up on me. That your mercies are made new every morning. Remind me that it is finished. Let me rest in you Jesus.
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Author of Beyond the Battle: A man's guide to his identity in Christ in an oversexualized world
Host of the The Flip Side Podcast
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