Psalm 3

A Devotion from Psalm 3
Salvation Belongs to the Lord

A Devotion from Psalm 3

Salvation Belongs to the Lord

1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!
         Many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me,
         “There is no help for him in God.”  Selah

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
         My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,
         And He heard me from His holy hill.  Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
         I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
         Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O LORD;
         Save me, O my God!
         For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
         You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.
         Your blessing is upon Your people.  Selah
(Psalm 3, New King James Version)

Like the Psalmist, it is easy to loose heart as a Christian, especially when we look at our culture today. We seem to be overcome by the ungodly way of life that is so predominant all around us.

David found himself in one of the most difficult situations one can experience in life. His own son had marched into Jerusalem claiming the kingship for himself. Helpless to defend the city, David was forced to flee with his own faithful army.

As he agonized over his situation, he could hear the rumblings of the people saying, "There is no help for him in God."

Was that true? Had David reached a point in his life where even God had turned His back upon him? No! He could not believe that it was so. He cried to God,

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

As he thought upon these things, David was comforted. He actually lay down and slept, for the Lord sustained him. Even if 10,000 were to raise their arms against him, he would trust in the Lord God.

Where is our faith? Do we have the same bold confidence of David? When we are struck on every side, especially by those closest to us--our family, do we give up in despair, or do we confidently trust our God who will never fail us?

David had many rich years of living with the Lord. He had been sought on all sides, and yet never had God failed him. Even now, David's hope did not rest upon himself, or even the strength of his own army. His hope rested upon God, alone.

And that, is the lesson for us this day. Where do we place our faith and our hope? Do we rest upon the things of this world? Are we trusting in the many things we have, or our bank accounts, or our friends? All of these things may fail, but the Lord will ever remain by the side of those whose trust and hope is in Him.

We live in a precarious age. Things thought to be trustworthy are showing themselves to be vulnerable. We have seen countries overcome by rebellion, governments toppled, banks fail, and prices rise astronomically. If we trust in these things, we will find ourselves wanting!

Let us then, like David in Psalm 3 turn to God our help in ages past, and our hope for years to come!

Go today, in the strength and confidence of the Lord, for He will never fail!

Next: Psalm 4, The Lord Will Hear When I Call to Him

More Devotions from Psalm 3

Verses 1-2, No Help!

Verses 3-5, My Glory!

Verses 6-8, God is Our Salvation