Out and Up

“But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”  Psalm 3:3

The situation was scary and sad.  As a rebel army approached the capital city, David chose to flee instead of fight the enemy—his own son.  The fickle hearts of a nation had turned their allegiance to the suave and sly Absalom, so David ran.  With bare feet and a covered head, he wept as he climbed the Mount of Olives and headed to the desert.  An angry man from Saul’s family darted beside him hurling curses, dirt, and stones.  In his distress, David began to sing—a song of plea, peace, and promise.  “O Lord, how many are my foes!  How many rise up against me!  Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him’”(vs 1-2).

David began with the facts—the raw reality of his situation.  He had been betrayed by his subjects and his son, and though a few still stood by his side, most had turned from him and turned on him.  The general consensus was that this time even God wouldn’t help him out. 

But David knew better.  He knew his God better and he knew himself better.  “But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head”(vs 3).   The facts couldn’t drown David’s faith.  He wasn’t about to go under but was being lifted up by the One who protected him, who listened to him, who answered him.  “To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill”(vs 4).

In the middle of the treachery and terror, David could sleep.  He could rest in assurance that all would be well and that he would wake up.  “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.  I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side”(vs 5-6).

 “Arise, O Lord!” David cried.  “Deliver me, O my God!” he pleaded(vs 7).  And God did.  Absalom was defeated, and David’s kingdom was restored.  “From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people”(vs 8).  

No matter how deep or dark your current situation, know that no plans of man can overthrow God’s purpose or override God’s peace. Don’t let the facts drown your faith, and don’t let them scare you and steal your sleep. 

You’re not going under.  You’re being lifted up.
Rest in Him.