Sunday 02:05:12

God is glorious and loves to reveal his beauty and glory to us so that our hearts turn to Him. He is continually winning us over, turning our hearts back to Him. Psalm 3 - the first Psalm ascribed to David. V. 1 "how many are my foes" David had an army coming to hunt him down, directed by his rebellious son, Absalom. 2 Samuel 15, the story of Absalom's rebellion and King David had to flee Jerusalem. Even some of David's friends had deserted him. V. 2 They mock him, saying that the Lord will not take care of him. They hint that God had forsaken David. Why would they say that? 2 Samuel 11-12, David committed adultery with Bathsheba and conspired to have her husband killed. 2 Samuel 12-14, David's life was torn apart by serious family trouble. 2 Samuel 15-18, David's son has an army and is leading a coup to take over the kingdom. It looks like God has forsaken David. It appears that God's favor has ended. You would think by these circumstances that God has abandoned him. This is the most bitter situation, the fear that in the midst of serious trouble, that God will not help. Have you been in that darkest place? Have you been in fear that right at the time that you needed God the most, it looked like he wasn't there? Listen to what David says in the midst of this darkness. V. 3 David needed someone to come to his aid. He needed someone to protect him from his enemies. The king needed a king, a sovereign to protect him and defend him. He says, "You are a shield around me. You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. He answers me." Despite the circumstances, despite his own past sin, David says, "my trust is in God." Circumstances do not dictate God's love or concern for you. In those darkest times, God is there, revealing that He is your hope, your strength, your shield, your shelter. In the deepest darkness of my life, I have found God; helping, comforting, encouraging, strengthening me. In the midst of that darkness, I have found God to be there. When I had no peace, He gave me peace. When I was consumed by fear, he gave me strength. When I was overwhelmed by worry, he was me shelter. When I was surrounded by doubt and fear, He was my shield. When I was crushed by my sin, guilt, shame, He took the burden from me. This is why I love the Psalms. God is declaring over and over, "I am what you have been looking for. I can rescue and save. I am the Great King, protector of my people, comforter of the hurting." Every time I needed something from God, I found that He was more than able to meet every need. Not only that, He was willing, wanting to help me. God is glorious and loves to reveal his beauty and glory to us so that our hearts turn to Him. v. 5 "I lie down and sleep" David is so confident in God that he will defend him that he goes to sleep. He does not stay up worried. "the Lord sustains me" v. 7 "Arise, deliver me. O "my" God. His enemies are confident that God will not save him, but David is confident in his God. V. 8 Victory is the Lord's and he grants it to his people. David is confident in the grace of God, His love for me will not end. Whenever I need Him, He is there, He is just Who I needed Him to be. As you read through the Psalms, you will find the Psalmist reveal very personal struggles and triumphs. He will refer to God as shield or strength or praise God for what He has done for him. Let God speak to you in the Psalms, as He reveals his glory and beauty to you. He is continually winning us over, turning our hearts back to Him. He is all that you need, Turn to Him, and praise Him for being beautiful and glorious.