A Very Real Problem 

“O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”

(Psalm 3:1-2 NLT)

Can you imagine the desperate emotional pain of being hunted down by your own child who is seeking to murder you? It sounds like the plot of a film! Godly, worshipful King David found himself in that very situation.

We don’t need to dig too deeply to find a pretty messed up family, much of whose dysfunction was as a result of David’s own poor choices and, yes, sin. When it came to his son Absalom, David had so wanted his son’s love that Absalom’s bad behaviour went uncorrected by his father, even when he murdered his brother.

Setting the scene for Psalm 3, we see David begin to pour out his heart to God, as he flees for his life. His own son is out to kill him, and his once closest aides, confidential servants and it seems all Israel have taken sides – and chosen the narcissistic sociopath, Absalom. The problem is very real. The family relationships damaged beyond repair. The threat to David’s life imminent.

The Only Real Answer

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude”

(Psalm 3:3-4 NLT)

‘My glory’ – have you ever thought about what that means? 

David comes to the realisation, once again, that his worth (his glory) is not found in his son’s love and respect, nor is it in popularity or acclaim among the people. David, shifts his glory and hope to God alone, “the lifter of my head,” as the ESV puts it, the One who hold David’s head up. His, the Lord’s opinion and affirmation is all that truly counts!

Real Living!

“I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.”

(Psalm 3:5-6 NLT)

Exhausted, his clothes torn in mourning, dust upon his head, and still surrounded on every side by very real, life threatening enemies, David’s heart and strength was restored and renewed in the remembrance of the wonderful knowledge that the Lord was watching over him. Knowing he had the Lord for his Protector, David could quietly and confidently go to sleep. 

If you find yourself in troubling or frightening circumstances today, even if they happen to be a consequence of your own actions, there is always a place for repentance, turning to God and acknowledging Him as your glory, and the lifter of your head. The one who enables you to walk with your head up in the knowledge of who He is; the Mighty One, your ‘Keeper’ (Psalm 121:5 ESV) the one who ‘neither slumbers nor sleeps.’

If you’re tossing and turning in your bed at night for lack of peace, there is one, and only one source of real peace, and its found in Jesus: 

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

‭Jill 💜