When the Enemy Surrounds God's People
God hears from His holy hill (Psalm 3).
David’s own son was chasing him.
Absalom wanted the throne, and he would stop at nothing to get it - even if it meant he had to kill his own father.
In Psalm 3, David pours out how he feels while running from his own son.
Many rise up against David
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah (Psalm 3:1-2)
It’s like all of David’s enemies were coming out of the woodwork. The tide appeared to have turned against David, and all of his friends, allies, and even family were turning against him too.
They were even saying, “God won’t help him.”
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be David at this moment? The depression must have felt nearly unbearable. The loneliness must have felt almost overwhelming.
So, David does the only thing he can - he turns to God and pours out what he is going through.
The LORD raises up David
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. (Psalm 3:3-4)
David cries out, “My adversaries have greatly increased!” But then he says, “But You, O LORD, are my shield.” He had many enemies, but God was defending him.
David saw all the enemies that raised up against him. But then he says, “You LORD raise up my head.” When the enemy rises up, God lifts up His humble servants.
David’s enemies were saying, “God won’t help him.” But David confesses, “I cried out, and He heard me.” The enemy mocked David by claiming God would abandon him, but God heard and took action.
The LORD strikes down those who lifted themselves up against David
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. (Psalm 3:5-8)
David had no fear in sleeping, even with tens of thousands of his enemies hunting him down - for the LORD was with him and cared for him.
David's salvation or deliverance from his enemies came from God. Just as David’s enemies had lifted themselves up, so God would strike them down.
The picture of being struck on the cheekbone and having teeth broken by a blow is not pretty. Not only would God strike them down - David’s enemies would be shattered.
While the ungodly would be broken, the LORD’s blessing would be upon His people.
Today, there is salvation in no one other than Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). Will we rise against God, or will we humble ourselves in His sight? (James 4:7-10).
Will we stubbornly refuse to leave sin behind, or will we submit to being buried with Christ to have our sins washed away? (Romans 6:3-7)