Psalm 3
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Ab’sa-lom his son.
1 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
David’s enemies were numerous and many of them were people who were close to him including his son. It was a great grief and agony to him that this was a reality in his life. His son and so many others who had been loyal subjects were killed in this civil war.
Paul reminded us that our battle is not with men but with spiritual forces.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but (we do wrestle) against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. KJV
And those enemies are quite numerous. You recall the response of the demons which inhabited the Gadarene demoniac to Jesus.
Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. KJV
The army of the underworld is large and numerous. Every serious Christian is engaged in a war with them whether he consciously realizes and acknowledges that or not.
One of the great weapons they use against believers is to cast doubt in his mind as to whether he will ever be delivered from the afflictions they lay upon him. And, even though he has been given many “great and precious promises” (2 Pet 1:4) the enemies of righteousness repeatedly lie and seek to convince the believer that those promises are not valid and effective for him.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But the fact that believers often fare poorly when tempted and pressed by their enemies does not mean that God’s promises are not real nor that they are ineffective. It simply means that we are only dimly aware of them and fail to implement them effectively against the enemy.
We refuse by neglect to “Put on the whole armor of God” (Eph 6:11), to remember, study, embrace and affirm the provisions made to us by our Savior.
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
He is real. His armor is real. His promises are real. His provision of help is real.
The weakness for us is our prayers and our faith.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
The attacks are daily and continual. Therefore the taking to ourselves of His armor must be continual. Our reminders to ourselves must be continual. And, the key to making this effective is that our prayers must be continual.
In that environment we are safe enough to sleep peacefully in the knowledge of our safety and our deliverance. Our fears are eased and our faith grows stronger.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
But each victory initiates a new and different attack. No success on this side of the grave is final. The enemy continually shifts his strategies, seeking to find one which will work. Therefore, our prayers must be sustained.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Knowing that pride sneaks in when we experience victory, we must ever remember where all victories come from and worship the one who has heard us and delivered us.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. KJV
— April 2, 2020