“Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing be upon Your people. Selah.” Psalm 3:8, NASB
The Predicament
Psalm 3 is David’s heart’s cry to the Lord when his son,
Absalom, and many of his followers sought to overcome him and take over his
kingdom. His counselors, soldiers, and friends followed Absalom and his
self-motivated retelling of David’s sins – keeping quiet about Tamar’s rape and
about his adultery with Bathsheba. Anger prevailed over the myriad of people.
David could have despaired, but he learned in the past the LORD
was his strength and deliverer. He cried out to Yahweh telling Him his troubles.
David laid it before the Lord; he told his predicament. We can do the
same thing.
The Promise
David next claimed the promise of God to be His
shield, his glory, and the one who lifts his head. He claimed God’s strength
and protection with faith. He trusted in the LORD and what He would do for him.
David realized God would hear and answer Him from His high and exalted throne,
the holy mountain. He honored God and gave Him glory even before God acted. David
recognized and called God his glory giving Him reverence and honor. He knew the
LORD would exalt and set him back on the throne. God’s anointing remained on him.
Do we claim God’s promise and give Him glory before He acts?
The Peace
David’s trust in the LORD’s strength and faithfulness was
great enough that he slept in peace and woke refreshed the next day.
Just as the Psalm 23 states, He understood God had everything under control and
he could rest peacefully. The LORD was on His throne and David did not need to
be afraid though tens of thousands surrounded him. Is our trust in the LORD so
great we can sleep in peace, arise refreshed, and not be afraid against
insurmountable numbers?
The Pursuit
With this faith, and the strength and wisdom of God, David
awoke and called on God to go to battle for him. The battle was the LORD’s, and
David did not fret. The LORD would pursue and prevail against David’s
enemies. David said the LORD struck the enemies on the cheek, like a lion whose
jaw was hit and broken. They could not roar and injure his reputation and authority.
God disarmed David’s enemies. David said, too, God shattered the teeth of the
wicked, those who spoke truths about David for hostile purposes. Just as a
broken toothed beast cannot bite and injure a person, a toothless person cannot
speak lies anymore. First the enemies experienced God’s contempt, then received
His punishment. Who did David have to fear with God as his salvation? Who do we
have to fear with God as our Savior?
The Profession and Praise
David closed with one final addition to his psalm. He
returned the praise and glory to God. David professed, “Salvation
belongs to the LORD.” He trusted in the LORD. David recognized for him at that
time, God’s blessing to him was salvation from his enemies and their lies,
deceit, and betrayal. David’s blessing from God was that he did not have to
take revenge upon Absalom. He left the matter to the LORD in His wisdom and
power. Do we trust God to take charge of our lives and situations? Do we see our
blessing is not fighting for ourselves?
David’s relationship with God was such that he could go directly
to Him and cry out his misery and fear. His relationship was such that he knew
the LORD well enough he could claim His promise and trust Him in advance. David,
in his inner being could rest in peace knowing God had the situation under
control. He could wake fresh and ready to face the day and see the LORD go
before him and handle the matter. The LORD would lift him back up onto the
throne over Israel. David could watch as God pursued his enemies. He received salvation
and blessing by the hand of the LORD. David trusted in the LORD in a bad situation
and gave Him glory.
Peace for You
Maybe you are going through a difficult time right now. God
is waiting to give you peace and rest. He is waiting for you to trust Him and
let Him fight your battles. Call out to Him and receive His blessing of peace,
rest, and victory. God is greater than anyone or any circumstance you face. He
comes from Zion, the throne higher than any other, to bring victory to you.
Have you placed your trust in Him? Salvation belongs to the LORD. He gives it freely
to all you believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Will you call out
to Him like David?
