For a believer, no ’dead end’ is really a dead end. It is so only from man’s point of view. If we believe in God, then we must believe that He can still make a way.
Matt 19:26 - Jesus: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Isa 43:19 - See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Hopelessness is no longer our portion. When we are at the END of our road and nowhere else to turn, we should LOOK UP. Turn to God in faith and trust Him, just as David did.
We all face troubles in life. Even a King as great as David too faces trouble. Psalm 3 was written out of such an experience.
Even a King has to run for his life. Story in 2 Sam 15:
• He was running from his rebellious son Absalom, who formed a conspiracy against him.
• Imagine his own son and a few who served Him - turned against him
• Not only to take his throne, but most likely to kill him
• He was driven out of his palace, out of the royal city Jerusalem.
It was a grieving moment for him.
• It was not easy - 2 Sam 15:30 says he was weeping.
But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up.
Verse 1 tells us David’s enemies were formidable - great in number.
• Enemies were so confident - they were saying, God will not deliver him.
• "God will not help you. God has deserted you. He no longer cares..."
Are you going to listen to the words of man, and believe what they say?
David did not believe the words of the enemies. He continues to believe in God.
• Even though the circumstance was bad - he did not give up on God.
• He knows God did not give him up!
David may be discouraged or sad, but he did not despair.
• We saw recently how a man gave up his life when he faced a huge difficulty.
Psalm 3:3 - But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
David refused to look at his dire circumstances or believe those words - He turned and professes his FAITH in God.
• "A shield around me" - whichever direction you come against me, God can protect me.
• "Let them say whatever they want, I know God is a shield for me."
Actually for the enemy to say "God will not deliver him" imply that they know David is a God-fearing man, one who trust God.
Indeed, the circumstance and their words did not knock down his faith.
Now, a shield was the great defensive tool in ancient times.
• It’s a man-to-man combat - shield is critical.
Not only is He a shield, He is a shield FOR me.
• Do you believe this? We have to believe this.
• Jesus to His disciples - Luke 21:18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
• Matt 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
And He lift up head up! He will be able to help me stand. Not pitiful and weak.
• No one bothers about you? You have a heavenly Father who cares!!!
Over a week from now will be Good Friday, Easter.
• If God can make such a sacrifice to SAVE you, He will CARE for you.
• If He does not care for you, He will not save you.
If He sacrifice so much to save you, He will care for you.
INDEPENDENCE
Two young kids Billy and Kay were at the amusement park. Their parents tell them they can explore the park by themselves but they must go together.
They were happy. Run from one ride to another. They felt they’ve grown up, they can do things on their own. They can take care of themselves. Buy things for themselves. Felt very independent. What freedom!
Finally they were to meet at the Main Entrance at 2pm. While waiting for their parents, they talked to one another - "Do you think I should tell Mom that I drop my $2 note?" Billy asked. "No," said Kay, "let’s not worry her."
"Do you think I should admit to Dad that I left my cap on that last ride?" Kay asked.
"Naw," said Billy.
About that time, Mom and Dad showed up. "Did you guys have fun?"
A few weeks later, they got to know that Mom and Dad had picked up the $2 note and cap they left behind. They had been there all the time - just a few metres away, out of sight, watching their children having the time of their lives!
(By From This Little Light of Mine, from Chicken Soup for the Soul, Copyright 1996.)
WHERE CAN WE HAVE SUCH FAITH - SUCH PEACE?
PRAYER - David prayed and experienced God’s protection
Ps 3:4-5
4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
In a very tense and dangerous situation - David was able to sleep. This can be our experience - every day.
Psalm 121:3-4
He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Because He doesn’t sleep, I can sleep well!
Come to think of it, we should be grateful to God. We have good sleep each night. We have a pillow and a bed; many do not have a place to lay their head.
Therefore in verse 6 - I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.
Ps 3:6 I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.
Now you know how to have PEACE and NO FEAR - PRAY AND ENTRUST EVERYTHING TO HIM - the One who cares for you and watches over you.
How to pray? Verse 7 expresses David’s simple prayer -
Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
He knew that... (v.8) From the LORD comes deliverance.
The One who can truly deliver (save) you is God! Believe this! This is His promise to us.
CALM THE STORM, CALM YOUR HEART
One pastor’s wife was very afraid to take flights. Husband asks her to pray. Fear was controlling her. "Let Him know you’re afraid of flying, and God will help you." Overtime, she overcame.
One day, she was flying with her friend through a violent storm in a small plane. He was sweating it out while she was fast asleep. When they landed, he asked her, "How could you sleep so peacefully?" She replied, "I’ve learnt to entrust to Him. He changed me. He has given me that kind of peace."
Sometimes God calms the storm, but most of the time He lets it rage - and calms us! Don’t be discouraged when you have to turn your fears over to God, again and again. That’s how trust is learned.
1 Pet 5:7 "Casting all your cares [continually...the moment they raise their voice...before they take control of you] upon Him, for He cares for you."
Phil 4:6-7 "Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything...if you do this you will experience
God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand..."
