WHO GOD IS WHEN YOU’RE IN TROUBLE

 

All of us face trouble and often very recognizable enemies. Every leader has encountered this. King David, who penned Psalm 3, had a host of enemies all his life. He knew something about overwhelming adversaries, but through these battles, he learned incomparable things about his God.

The whispering and sometimes shouting accusations of the enemy come. They try to convince us there is no hope, that God cannot possibly help us out of our dilemma. If we are not careful, we will believe their taunts and lose all faith in God.

Lord, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God. (Psalm 3:1–2).

DAVID’S SONG

But listen to the confident and glorious song of David. He recounts all that God is to him when he is in need. Meditate deeply on each of these wonderful attributes.

·      My PROTECTOR … But you, Lord, are a shield around me (Vs. 3)

No one can protect us from the enemy’s attacks like God. He is a shield, not just in front of us, but on every side.

·      My LIFTER … My glory, and the one who lifts up my head (Vs. 3)

When our head is so downcast we think it will never lift up again, God reaches down with His strong right hand and lifts it up so we can see Him and see our problem from His victorious perspective.

·      My PRAYER-ANSWERER … I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain. (Vs. 4)

We can seek help from many who will not respond or, if they do, they will be of little help. But our Father will always hear our cry and bring His answers.

·      My SUSTAINER … I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the LORD sustains me. (Vs. 5)

When we don’t think we can go a day longer, He “makes us lie down in green pastures” and restores enough that we are sustained to face another day.

·      My EN-COURAGER … I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side. (Vs. 6)

The size of our enemy doesn’t matter (ask Goliath), or the number, or how strategic their position (even if we’re surrounded “on every side”). God is the superior, omnipotent force, and His presence gives us courage to face any enemy.

·      My DEFENDER … Rise up, LORD! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. (Vs. 7)

Regardless of the enemy, if we cry out in dependence upon the Lord, He will defend us against every enemy. We can “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”

·      My SAVIOR … Salvation belongs to the LORD: may your blessing be on your people. (Vs. 8)

There is no Savior like our God. He has been saving men and women, boys and girls for all of human history … and He will save those who look to Him!