DESPERATE FOR GOD

Read Psalm 3

All of us at some point will find ourselves in a situation where we desperately need God.  Maybe you’re at that point today.  That’s why you’re reading this—hoping to find some help in your desperate state.  I have good news.  King David, writer of this psalm, found himself in such a spot (see superscription).  Can you imagine heartache so great as knowing that your own child is trying to kill you? Perhaps you’re in this desperate place because of bad choices—David was reaping what he had sown.  Or you’ve done nothing wrong in particular, but still you find yourself in a mess.  Whatever the cause, the truth remains, that you are desperate for God.

We can face DISTRESSING TROUBLE  (v.1-2)  This is a “psalm” of David.  For the first time the word “psalm” is used.  It comes from the Heb. Mizmor a term meaning to prune or cut away extraneous branches.  Have you ever spoken to someone beating around the bush, giving all sorts of unnecessary details and you say, “Cut to the chase!”  That’s what David did!  He got directly to the point.  There may be a time when turning a flowery phrase and rising to heights of oratorical splendor may be fine, but when a man is drowning he doesn’t say, “O great lifeguard who sits enthroned upon the beach chair, wouldst thou in an opportune season see fit to journey across the burning sands and plunge into these whitecaps, swimming against the current that you may bring me safely to shore, for I am perishing in this riptide.”  NO!  You’ll drown.  You cry, “Help!”

David does so because of the dimensions of the trouble (v.1)  David had always had his enemies.  Those who follow the Lord will always face fierce foes.  Jesus said that the servant isn’t greater than his master.  If they treated Him with hatred, how do we expect better treatment? But the sheer size of the opposition was overwhelming to the king whose crown had been taken by his own son.  I would remind you that the majority are not always right.  In fact, we most always are going to find the devil’s numbers much larger than our own.  Do not be desperate to have the world’s approval, but be desperate for God’s.  If you please God, you will often displease people.  You may not find yourself on a battlefield running for your life like David, but you will face battles from time to time—count on it.  I look at the prayer cards each week and I read the pleas of desperate people who are facing financial disaster, health concerns, family issues--the dimensions of the troubles is vast.  What do we do?  What David did—cry out to God!

If we do not gaze into God’s face with faith then we are going to succumb to the discouragement from the trouble (v.2)  The enemy of our souls will seek to undermine our faith with fear.  He will whisper, “Why, even God has forsaken you.”  In response, David writes, “Selah” for the first of 3 times in this psalm and many times in others.  It is a musical notation and Bible scholars don’t know what.  What we do know is that it had the thrust of causing the audience to stop and consider carefully what was said.  David says, “Stop for a moment.  Reflect.  Don’t judge anything by appearances alone.  Get God’s perspective.”

DISTRESSING TROUBLE can bring us to DETERMINED TRUST  (v.3-6)  He refuses to be overwhelmed by his trouble, but looks beyond it to God.  Are many against Him?  He knows that if God be for us who can be against us!  Does the accuser say that God has abandoned you?  He knows God will never leave us nor forsake us.

We find courage rooted in God's Person (v.3-4)  “But YOU” is emphatic.  In contrast to the fickleness of man, He rested in the faithfulness of God!  God is our protector “a shield” and promoter “my glory” and peace “who lifts up my head.”  David offered passionate, prevailing prayer “I cried to the Lord.”  It was the persistent pattern of his life.  He recalled the countless times God had heard him before.  In this same wilderness he had fled from Saul and been preserved.  The God who gave him the crown the first time, would restore it again.

We have confidence resting in God's provision (v.5-6)  Stressful days are often followed by sleepless nights.  But David didn’t have to reach for medication—he relied on meditation.  He didn’t count sheep, but contemplated the Shepherd and slept like a baby.  When he woke still alive he knew the Lord was watching over him and a new hope dawned.

So David moves from DISTRESSING TROUBLE to DETERMINED TRUST that yields DECISIVE TRIUMPH  (v.7-8)  We are more than conquerors!

Remember the source of triumph (v.7a, 8a)  This is the battle cry of Israel! Our champion is undefeated. “My God” is concerned about you!

Note the scope of triumph (v.7b, 8b)  Satan has had his teeth knocked out—the worst he can do is gum you!  When God blessed the leader the scope of blessing extends to the people.  So pray for them!

Salvation is of the Lord.  That is our greatest need.  If we can trust God with meeting that need--and He has through Jesus--can we not trust Him with lesser ones?