This was a Psalm written by David when his son Absalom left and revolted to be the king of Israel. (2 Samuel 15).
Devotional Portion: Psalm 3:1-2
“Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.””
David was troubled from all sides when he wrote this Psalm. His son rebelled against him and the people who supported him also changed their mind and followed Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13, Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”) As things were not going smooth, he and his servants began to flee from Jerusalem.
David was appointed by God, had all the promises, he was a man after God’s heart, and still he was depressed when things changed all of a sudden. Again, Shimei added a heavy burden to this pain as he cursed David and threw stones at him. David might have lost all hope and he cried out to the LORD.
All the situations around made the people around him conclude that “There is no help for him in God.” The people around us may come to pseudo-conclusions when they are clueless about our situation. They make ungodly predictions and solutions which they try to impose on us. But as a man after God’s heart, even though we are troubled or don’t see a light ahead, trust God.
A man carrying God’s vision is higher, above all the impossibilities that people see. David looked up and saw the LORD who had led him thus far and he said, “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill.” (Psalm 3:3-4)
Pray thus “LORD, I know my situations are unfavorable, the people around me curse and say bad about me, but You Oh LORD are my shield.” The LORD came down for David as a shield- to protect him from the unmerciful, discouraging words of people and from the cunning enemies who were before him. God reveals Himself to us in the way we need Him. He comes down as a protector when you are in trouble, He comes as a healer when you are sick, and He comes as a mentor when you need direction. Whatever is your need, God is there to provide and support you.
The words of David was not just a prayer to the LORD to come down as a shield; but by faith he proclaimed that God is my shield. Proclaim to your problem that your God is able, proclaim to your adversary that God will fulfil His plans for you, and proclaim to your situation that it can’t defeat you because you have a God who sustains and provides for you.
When God is your shield, He will never let your head be bowed down before people. He will bring great joy, and lift your head up even when you have nothing to be happy about. David had every situation to be depressed, but as God was by his side, he stood with courage. The courage came when David cried to the LORD in his personal time. If we are able to open up our heart, cry out to the LORD in our prayer cubicle, the LORD will lift up our head before everyone. The one who kneels before the LORD will never bend their knee before the world. The LORD will give you the power to stand upright, with confidence, even when you are broken inside. The joy of the LORD must be our driving force.
Reflection: The LORD is near to your cry. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
