Faith

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The line is drawn! Society melts out its cruel uncertainty and countless souls walk in despair and fear. Even Christians are not immune it seems. Drug companies are making a killing. Prozac has become the fashionable choice while our TVs are peppered with commercials for sleeping aids. We look for an escape from this taunting panic but it seems to elude us.

So we endure while we take up residence on one side of the line or… the other! We shall be either fearful or fearless! There is no middle ground! For the fearful there are sleepless nights. For the fearless rest.

But we were not the first to have wrestled with great doubts and uncertainties.

Psalms chapter 3 is one of tremendous faith and rest in a not so restful time. David’s son Absalom has betrayed him by usurping the king’s authority and winning the hearts of many of the kingdom. His gradual deception has undermined David’s rule and now there is a full blown “coup d'etat.” David must flee for his life and that from his own son! David’s heart is broken by Absalom’s rebellion. He is dishonored in the eyes of all his subjects and is forced to leave Jerusalem, the city he conquered and rebuilt. Now, in this great escape David writes Psalms chapter three.

“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.” Ps. 3:1-2

Can you feel the rejection and despair? Here is a man whose “ratings” have plummeted in the eyes of men but in God’s eyes it’s a different thing.

David hurts but at the same time he declares, “But you, O Lord are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.” Psa.1:3 They spit at him, throw rocks and rail insults but he leaves Jerusalem with his head held high and fully protected.

He continues in verse 6, “I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.”

Now doesn’t that sound noble! “I will not be afraid of many thousands…” How many times have we sung this verse or heard it preached. It has become almost a code word, a mantra of sorts among groups of Christian survivors. But let’s remind ourselves of the setting! David is fleeing yet fearless! Ponder that! He runs and gives up the throne because he loves Absalom and does not want to confront him concerned that it would cost Absalom his life. So he relinquishes the throne voluntarily and escapes. But, get this, not with fear but with absolute confidence!

How could David endure such a threat with genuine peace and confidence in God? Psalms 3:8 gives the reason. “Salvation belongs to the Lord, Your blessing be on your people.” Here is why David did not fear. He knew that salvation came from God! It didn’t come from his armies his wealth or fame, it came from God!

So, for a period of time the line was drawn for David. He took his residence on the side of fearlessness, faith, and deep confidence in the supremacy of God. Then as he rested, in a cave. Trusting in God he would write, “I lay down and slept; I woke again and the Lord sustained me.” Psa. 3:5

Peace! Even when his throne is being stolen from him, he is cast out of Jerusalem and his mocking enemies are innumerable, what does David do?

He sleeps.

Good night!

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