David wrote this Psalm as a prayer when he was on the run from his son Absalom who sought to kill him. David would have never expected something like this to happen again. Yet, God allowed it to happen in his life and it is better for us to see how David reacted to the hostile situation, rather than presuming why God would allow that to happen in his life. We know that satan can use anyone to divert us from growing in the love of God. Always remember what Jesus said,

a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.

Matthew 10:36

In the Bible we see people like Cain, Jacob and Martha getting diverted by their family members. People who are close to our heart can hurt us more than strangers. We won’t remember the abusive language used against us in yesterday’s traffic jam but we won’t be able to forget a simple statement given against us by our kith. Satan knows how to use the people around us to dishearten us.

Our Enemies

LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”

Psalms 3:1-2

When friends and strangers understand the problem we are facing within our families, they are encouraged to come against us. David was wondering about the increasing numbers of his enemies and happened to hear them saying “God will not deliver him”. Many believers think that when a person does not have peace in his own family, he is rejected by God and no one can rescue him. People usually think that they are surrounded by their enemies but what they don’t realize is that they are actually surrounded by the presence of God.

But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.

Psalms 3:3-4

Amidst the commotions created by the traitors, David was able to feel the presence of God that shielded him and he was able to discern the guidance of God from His Holy Mountain.

Peace of Mind

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.

Psalms 3:5-6

With our trivial problems, at times, we are unable to even have a sound sleep. David amidst the threat for his life was able to sleep peacefully. Whatever may be his strength or how great be the number of people guarding him, David realized that when he sleeps, it is God who protects his life and gives him a new day. With this understanding, fear fled from his mind and he did not bother about the many people plotting to take his life. If we do not have this kind of trust in God, we will be strategizing day and night to overcome our enemies. Peter, when he knew very well that in the morning he will be killed, he was able to have a deep sleep and that’s when the angel of God shook him awake.

Charge My Enemies

Arise, LORD!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

Psalms 3:7

David was seeking deliverance from God and had submitted his enemies into the hands of God that He may deal with them. The suggestive words used by David might mislead many believers to expect God to strike their enemies for the unjust they have rendered to us. David left everything to God, and when he got a chance to take revenge, he did not lay his hand on them with a clear understanding that he should not strike God’s anointed one. Despite the treacherous acts of Saul and Absalom, David was unable to hear the news of their deaths. God looks into our hearts and we can not fool Him with our fabricated words.

Deliverance Comes From the Lord

From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

Psalms 3:8

In Psalm 20 David differentiated the plight of the people who believed in their resources with the people who trusted in God alone.

Now this I know:
The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall,but we rise up and stand firm.

Psalms 20:6-8

David wrote these words through his personal experiences with God. The Christian life should be full of spiritual experiences. Do we have the privilege of experiencing His presence and power in every moment of our lives? However crucial be our situation, if we learn to put our trust in Him, we can experience His presence in a tremendous way.

Joseph was able to feed his brothers who sold him as a slave. Job despite the harsh words spoken by his friends during his crucial time, was able to pray for their deliverance. Jesus asks us to love our enemies. God places traitors and backstabbers in our lives and awaits eagerly to witness our positive approach so that He can retort the devil who accuses us of being guilty. If we give our Lord a chance to do so, He will be rejoicing over our lives.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

Proverbs 27:11