David was able to say "I will be confident" (v.3) even in the midst of hardship and trouble. We can make 3 observations form these 3 verses:
(1)His confidence is not the result of the ABSENCE of problems.
It is very clear that David encountered many problems and difficulties. He mentioned evil men attacking him, he said they were his enemies, an army besiege him and war break out against him. He was surrounded by problems and hardships.
In fact, we read of many godly servants of God in the Scriptures who had to overcome hardships. In the OT, we read of Joseph being betrayed by their brothers, sold as slave to Egypt, wrongly accused and was imprisoned for several years. Yet throughout this whole period of time Joseph did not complain against God. Eventually his whole family came to Egypt to seek help because of a famine in their homeland. And this was what Joseph said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen 50:20).
We read of others, like Daniel, Nehemiah, Esther, prophets Jeremiah, Hosea... they went through various hardships. Yet they stood firm, trusted God and eventually overcame the difficulties they faced. Jesus told his disciples very clearly - John 16:33 "...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Last week, we heard the testimony of Sis Sun Qin - they’ve had a rough journey, yet through it all God has drawn them to Himself. Knowing Jesus, and being saved, is all that really matters. As Paul said, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Rom 8:18). The glorious inheritance, eternal life with Him, is what God longs to give to each of us.
Some of us may be facing some tough times - medical problems, difficult family situation, financial needs, your future is uncertain - when these things happen it is very easy for us to worry and be afraid. God does not want that to happen - if we are a believer in Jesus, we should not be afraid of what the future holds - because it is our heavenly Father who holds that future in His hands. He knows what you need, and it is already in His hands.
And that’s what David showed us in this psalm...
(2)His confidence is a result of the PRESENCE of God IN our problems.
In the midst of his difficulties, David kept focusing on God and not on his difficult situation. He says, the Lord is my light, the Lord is my salvation, the Lord is the stronghold of my life. It was because his eyes were on God that he was able to say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?"
Rom 8:31-32 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
He is my light... in the midst of darkness, when I can’t see the road. Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." Why the psalmist use the word "shadow" - because the road was dark. Only in the night will we see shadows. He was going through dark moments in his life. It was night, not day. Yet it was just a shadow - in other words, there was a light present with him... if there was no light, there would not be any shadow. Where does this light comes from? The psalmist goes on, "I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." GOD IS WITH HIM.
This is the consistent message of the Bible - that we are to look to God, and not to our surrounding or people. Apostle Peter had that experience. He got down out of the boat and was able to walk on the water... as long as his eyes were focused upon Jesus (Matt 14:29-30). But when he saw the wind (v.30), he was afraid and began to sink.
Isa 26:3-4 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal."
David has confidence and peace, not because there were no serious storms in his life, but because we have a stronghold of life - God is our refuge. When we look to the GREATNESS of our God, instead of looking at the greatness of our problems, our anxiety and fears will fade away. We have a God who is Light - He guides us... a Saviour to rescue us, and a Stronghold to protect us. We have ultimate security, and therefore can have true peace and confidence.
Remember the words of Jesus: John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
One tribe of native Americans had a unique practice for training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, he was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then he had never been away from the security of his family and tribe. But on this night he was blindfolded and taken miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of thick woods. By himself. All night long.
Every time a twig snapped, he probably visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. Every time an animal howled, he imagined a wolf leaping out of the darkness. Every time the wind blew, he wondered what more sinister sound it masked. No doubt it was a terrifying night for many.
After what seemed like an eternity, the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was the boy’s father. He had been there all night long.
Citation: Leonard Sweet, SoulSalsa (Zondervan, 2000), pp. 23-24.
God wants to be with His people - to guide them, protect them and help them.
Listen to these words of Jesus - John 16:5-7
"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ’Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
While on earth, Jesus can only be physically present with His disciples. He cannot be with everyone of them, everywhere they go, all the time. That’s why Jesus said it is for our good that He goes... When He goes, He will send us the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit. Now, the Spirit dwells in the hearts of everyone who believes Christ. He is always with us. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish all that God wants us to do. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, God is with us - everyone of us, any where we are, all the time.
John 14:26-27
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The Comforter has come... we can have true peace because He is ever present with us.
(3) His confidence is a result of God’s Past Deeds.
We have confidence in God because He has never failed us. David had confidence in God because he experienced God’s help in the past. Verse 2 is in the past tense - "When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell." (NKJ)
David was talking about yesterday - what God has done. Therefore today, in verse 3 he went on... even if they come with "an army to besiege me, my heart will not fear. If they declare war against me, even then will I be confident."
CONCLUSION
When we follow the example of David - turn our eyes upon Jesus - remember that He is our Light, our Salvation and our Stronghold - we will have victory over fears and hardships in life.
Heb 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Phil 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
"Whom shall I fear?... of whom shall I be afraid?"
