This Psalm was about the occasion when he fled from Absalom his son. His own son led a coup against the respected and long-serving reign of his father. David here tells of his troubles and it is an excellent Psalm to look at when we are facing troubles:
I. THE REALITY OF TROUBLES (v. 1-2)
A. He had many people oppose him – Absalom had secured a following.
1. Harder when troubles are “people” and not “things”.
a) Car breakdown OR A teenager rebelling.
b) Lose the job OR lose the wife
c) Broken arm OR falling out with a friend.
2. Harder when troubles are multiplied – Absalom / disloyal friends / Shimei
a) Troubles have a way of mounting up on us.
b) Sometimes people crumble under the small loads b/c they are the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
B. They mock his religion – no help in God.
1. His only comfort (in God) is now being attacked.
2. The devil will try to make us believe that God has forsaken us.
C. David was a “man after God’s own heart, yet he faced troubles:
1. Job 5:7, "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."
2. Job 14:1, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble."
II. A REFUGE IN TROUBLE (v. 3)
A. Shield – nothing can get to us that God does not let pass.
B. Glory – a reason to rejoice (though there’s little else to glory in).
C. Lifter of mind head – a discouraged man has his head hung. God is able to restore his spirit / to encourage him.
God never promised to remove all trouble, but He has promised to be a refuge in the midst of that trouble – Ps 46:1
III. HOW TO OBTAIN REFUGE (v. 4)
A. We are not just to expect it, we must seek it – CRY. Get on your knees in trouble.
B. Cry speaks of fervour and desperation.
IV. THE EFFECT OF THE REFUGE
A. He slept in peace without fear (v. 5-6) – though his life was hunted.
1. A restful sleep is the blessing of God. A troubled mind will keep you awake.
2. Psa 4:8, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."
3. Prov 3:24, "When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet."
4. ILL. Peter is in prison awaiting execution.
B. If we make God our refuge we will know security.
V. HIS CONTINUED PRAYER (v. 7-8)
A. He obtained peace inwardly and continued to pray for it outwardly – inward peace is more important.
B. He knew salvation (deliverance) was in God’s hand therefore he rested. Yet he continued to pray for it.
1. God didn’t immediately deliver David, but he ultimately did.
2. Keep praying - keep knocking and it shall be opened unto you.
