PSALM 3 – 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. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah.

THEME OF THE DAY: SLEEP WELL. ALL IS WELL.  The setting in history of Psalm 3 is Absalom, David’s son, chasing him.  He wanted to usurp the kingdom from his father, and David is fleeing in great fear. The language is apparent throughout, yet, we also find David exhibiting confidence in his God by his praying and his faith.  What particularly stands out is that despite all his fears and pressures, David sleeps well.  Here is what he says – “I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.”  Lessons for us?  A couple.

First, cast all our anxieties and fears on the Lord and leave them with Him.  It is implied David does that because he is able to sleep.  How often have anxiety and fear kept us awake at night? If you are anything like me, more nights than I want to count!  What we learn from David is the application of the Apostle Peter’s instruction – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).  But here is the key.  Obey the command to cast all our anxieties on Him and leave them.  We cannot take them back. Once given to Him, they stay with Him.

The second lesson is when fear seeks to grip our hearts immediately run to God in prayer.  Don’t attempt to defeat or overcome fear in strength of self.  As we read Psalm 3, remember what it is. It is a prayer. David is pouring his heart out to God and from this type of praying comes strength.  He would model this in the fifty-sixth Psalm as well – Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you (Psalm 56:1-3).  In his prayer of Psalm 56, he is strengthened to put forth personal resolve to exercise faith in his God.  And so shall we when prayer is our first response to fearful circumstances.

Yes, fearful times will come, but we can sleep well during them.  Why? Like David, we may rest confident in the Lord who has promised to sustain us as we sleep. So, get some good zzzzzz’s . . .

PRAYER: “Father, help to cast all my cares upon Your Son and leave them with Him.”

QUOTE: “The Lord never sleeps so sleep well. He watches over us – constantly.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim