Introduction: In Psalms 3 we meet David in times of trouble. David’s son Absalom had decided to take family matters into his own hands, so he killed his half-brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar. As punishment for his actions, Absalom was forced to live in exiles for many years. He successfully pleaded with his father, King David, that he might be allowed to return to his homeland. Finally, King David agreed to allow him to return but refused to see him. After two years Absalom forced David into seeing him. David decided to allow Absalom to have liberty and freely move about his kingdom. Despite of David’s goodness to Absalom, Absalom begin to use all of his energies to convince everyone that the Kingdom of Israel would be better off with him as King instead of his father David.
The bible says that he turned the heart of the people away from David. At the time of this event, Absalom used guile and deception to convince nearly 10,000 of David’s soldiers to join him in his efforts. Jerusalem had become a hot bed of rebellion without David’s knowledge. King David had to flee for his life. Absalom eventually took the city, took over the throne of Jerusalem, claim ten of David’s wives as his own, and even had control over David’s chief advisors.
Many people believe that this trouble came on David’s life because of his sin with Bathsheba. That may very well be true. But no one goes through life without facing troubles at one time or another. Yet when you are person “after God’s own heart” who really desires to please God, you can expect gossip and criticism even from people that are closest to you. Damaging word are always sources of grief. Friends will sometimes turn against us. When Ahithophel, one of David's shrewdest counselors and many of his faithful soldiers abandoned him and joined the rebellion, it was more than he could take. This Psalm is for all those who are discouraged, seemingly surrounded by problems, or feeling overwhelmed and defeated. In those seasons, we need to cry out to God. Notice that David’s prayer is not long or fancy. There’s no need to butter-up God. Sometimes, it’s all we need to say is Help! Crisis is no time to be bashful. In his discouraged state, David saw his enemies were many. His perspective was lost. His attacks were increasing and troubling. This the cry of a man out of breath, who has loss of control of his situation. Have you ever been overwhelmed with “LIFE’S MANYS"? David’s world was caving in on him and even his escape was going to be a challenge. It seemed like the enemy was winning. The game is about over. God doesn’t seem to care. His enemy was saying there is no help for him in God. Yet David began to passionately by cry out to God.
1. Being Surrounded Does Not Mean Being Forsaken - Ps 3:1-2, “LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.”
David cries out to God irrespective of what other were saying. He knew that God does care for his own. God will hear the cry of his children. So, call on him in the day of trouble. You are not forsaken. The word forsaken means completely abandoned and deserted. David knew that God will never forsake his children.
2. Being Isolated Does Not Mean That I Am Not Alone - Ps 3:3 “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (4) I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. (5) I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”
Now, without his castle, his throne, and many of his creature comforts, David take an inventory of what he has left. He encouraged himself with what he knew about his God. The Lord is real our Shield, He is our protection. David’s crisis was physical: real enemies, sharp arrows and spears, division in his family and his kingdom. In our lives, it may be Spiritual – but God will extinguish all the fiery arrows of Satan (Eph. 6:16). God’s people have always been targets of the enemy. And God himself has always been their shield of protection in battle. But more than that, The Lord is Our Sustainer (vv. 4-5).
David cried out to the Lord for help and the Lord sustained him. God invites us to call to him in prayer. In Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. In Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” In Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” In John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
In God, David found a shield, protector and sustainer, and so much peace that he could sleep in the face of his enemy. He slept in peace and awoke invigorated for the Lord sustained him in danger. David understood that he was not alone, God was with Him.
3. Being Outnumbered Does Not Mean Being Defeated- Ps 3:6, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. (7) Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. (8) Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
Our victory will not be determined by our ability or our great number. David was not counting on his own strength or ability. The Lord is Our Strength. It is God who strengthens us. God’s word is our assurance that we can do all things through Christ. “I will not be afraid” was David’s bold confession. Somehow the peace of God caused David to face his circumstances with faith instead of fear. As his faith increased, his fear decreased. He had faced great obstacles before a bear, a lion, and even the giant Goliath. The Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
We are not forsaken; we are not alone, and we will not be defeated. We already have the victory. The Lord Is Our Source of Victory (vv. 7-8) David saw his enemies as already overcome by God’s power. (Eph. 6:13) Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground… There is victory in Jesus (1 Cor. 15:57-58)
“But thanks be to God. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Our Strategy for mastering crisis must included the assurance that no matter what the report sounds like, (1) we are not forsaken (2) No matter what it feels like, we are not alone and (3) and no matter what it looks like, we have the victory. We can rest in the Lord even in troubled times. Because He is Our Shield, Our Sustainer, Our Strength, and Our Salvation. The final victory has already been won.
Absalom was so sure of victory, that he celebrated too early. He took over the palace and partied with David’s wives that night. He fail to realize, a night was all God needed to turn things around. There he was glorying in his success. He is the most handsome man in Israel with hair the weighed seven pounds. After a night of celebration, Absalom and his men caught up with David and fought a great battle in the forests of Ephraim. There his rebel army was utterly destroyed. More than 20,000 were killed outright, and a still greater number became entangled in the thick forest and perished that day. Finally, Absalom himself, for while riding upon his mule, the thick hair of his head was caught in a forked branch of a great oak tree. The Bible says, "He was taken up between heaven and earth; and the mule that was under him went on" (2Sa 18:9).
In this position, Absalom was found by one of David’s soldier. Joab, the captain of David’s army gave the order to thrust him through. They thrust three darts into the heart of Absalom and was dead. No matter what it sounds like, no matter what it feels like and no matter what it looks like, we have the victory. Reflect on God’s past goodness and state your confidence in Him! Express assurance in God’s deliverance!
If we dwell upon the discouraging circumstances of life—the people who do us in, the job that doesn’t work out, the son or daughter who has deeply disappointed us, the parent who has betrayed us, the mate who has forsaken us, and the other struggles that seem to engulf us—we will surely crash. But if we would keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and stay grounded in His word, then we will make it safely through the storm. Maybe you’re in a storm. God has a purpose in leading you into the storm. He has power to preserve you through the storm. And, He has a plan to eventually lead you out of the storm. Put your eyes on Christ. Trust His Word.
