October 14, 2012
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 3
OBSERVATIONS
1. I do not have any foes. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be under attack like this. But I do know people who could relate, who feel threatened and assaulted like this. For me my enemies are spiritual, I am constantly under spiritual attack, and Satan is a tough opponent. When I read Psalms about enemies, I usually insert my own enemies, namely Satan and his demons.
2. Can you imagine sleeping when under this much stress? Usually I cannot sleep when I am under attack, or under pressure, or overwhelmed, overworked. My mind races, I wrestle with my thoughts day and night. While I tend to dwell on the problem, David dwells on (and rests in) the deliverer. Ten thousand enemies… I have trouble trusting against one enemy. The trick is where we focus, do we dwell on God or our enemies, our problems, our struggles?
3. ”Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.” (Palm 3:7) A bit harsh, doesn’t sound like Jesus ”love your enemies” does it? Sad to say, this was normal, this is how people hurt and assaulted others. War and politics as brutal, cruel. David is speaking in the context and world that he knows and experiences. It’s like he is saying, ‘let them experience what they are doing to others’. But he is not threatening to seek revenge himself, he is pleading with God to stand up for the victims, and to stop the abusers.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
1. I sense the Lord leading me to identify my enemies, where I feel threatened or under attack. For me it is in my mind (spiritual, not imaginary), a battle with fears, doubts, discouragement. I do not always give in to them, but I am constantly assaulted by them. Instead of dwelling on them, I need to name and denounce them.
2. Where is my focus, what do I dwell on. Whatever holds our attention is the object of our worship, the thing that we consider worthy of our attention. Instead of focusing on my fears and doubts (which only makes them seem bigger), I need to focus on God ans His power and goodness… which will make Him seem bigger. God is bigger than any and all enemies, but I need to remind myself of this daily.
3. Maybe like David I need to write it out, to verbalize my confidence in God whether I feel it or not. When a fear or doubt or discouraging thought touches my mind, I need to reject it and say – out loud – I refuse to give in, I refuse to buckle, God is bigger, God is better, God is with me! From the Lord comes deliverance, dwell on that, rest in that!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, You are bigger than the bogey man, You are bigger than Godzilla and the monster on TV. And You are watching over me. Help me to live and sleep in this comforting thought.
Observations:
In the time of trouble David talks to God.
The Lord God is His Shield. He talks with God during these difficult times.
Even during these tough times he sleeps because God takes care of Him.
God is the Equalizer.
Happiness is in the Lord.
Application:
At all times, in joy and in trouble I need to talk to my God. It is He that can give me peace. It is He who can calm my fears. It is He who listens to His people calling on the name of the Lord. It is He only who can deliver me from all my troubles because He is my Refuge, my Deliverer, my God.
I am reminded that once again I need to take it all to the Lord in prayer for my salvation belongs to God – it is He who delivers and gives His people – me rest each day and also eternally.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord that I can take all things to You in prater for You are my listening Father who hears His child. Help me each day to walk with You and talk with You for You do travel with me all along the way.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.