Three lessons from Psalm 3 about God’s activity in our lives

By Dean Collins

We can learn many things from David. Many of them are things we wouldn’t want to imitate. Lust, adultery, murder—maybe these are the top three. But in Psalm 3 there are three lessons we would do well to learn and to practice.

Lesson 1

If you are chosen by God for a task, then there will be enemies.

David was God’s pick to replace King Saul. David was not looking for the assignment, but God chose young David as the future king. When God chooses us for assignments, there will often, maybe always, be those who disagree with God’s choice. David found out that when we choose to obey God and accept his assignments, those assignments always come with bigger problems than we are equipped to handle on our own.

During David’s tenure, he encountered many who were out to get him for numerous reasons; jealousy, desire for power, and revenge were among them. After David’s sin with Bathsheba, even after his repentance, there was a lifetime of pain and suffering that came from his mistake. Some scholars think Psalm 3 was written while David’s own son was attempting to take the throne and replace his father.

All through Scripture, we see that accepting God’s assignment does not mean a life free of problems. It often comes with bigger problems. But the good news is in lesson two from Psalm 3.

Lesson 2

God is our shield.

David found that time after time God was his shield and protection from destruction. The burden of leadership can often lead to times in the caves of agony and self-doubt. David had his share of those nights. But through all of his struggle, David learned to use the lifeline of prayer. We can get lazy with the easy access we have in our cell phones. We can call or text anyone for help any time of day or night. And while we likely do need the help and support of friends in times of need, we should never forget that the best call is a call out to God! David’s opening sentences in Psalm 3 give us a good example:

“O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in God.’ Selah. But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”

As we read David’s complaint about how many are against him, we notice he doesn’t dwell there but rather quickly turns to the clarity of thought that God and God alone is his salvation, his shield, and the one who can lift his head from depression and shame toward his Creator and his source of strength and life.

Lesson 3

God answers our prayers.

David found that God’s answers to his prayers had many facets. The first was David found he could sleep after turning to God.  We don’t know if David asked God to help him sleep. I will be the first to confess I have prayed for that more times than I can count. Sometimes my request comes because I know there are some who work against the plans of God, and I have more than once made the mistake of trying to fight God’s battles for him only to learn that I sleep better if I simply hand those battles to him. They are bigger than I can handle. David found that God was in charge when he let go and allowed his eyes to close; God was still in charge when he woke up the next day.  God’s biggest answer to all our prayers is that he sustains us when we surrender to him.

Lord, some days it seems as if we have more than a few enemies working against us. We confess that we are often guilty of taking on battles that are not ours to fight. Forgive us. We cry out to you as our shield and ask you to sustain us. Give us rest and increase our faith to walk confidently with you instead of running ahead or lagging behind.  Our salvation is firmly in your hands. Use us however you will today to bless someone in our path. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your time with God’s Word
Psalm‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Nubelson Fernandes on Unsplash
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