PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

The best French fries are at Ollie’s Trolley. I got to eat these growing up when my father would take me to his workplace. One Saturday he did not take me, so I gathered my friends, and we stormed his office. My father’s friends looked out the window. Seeing us on the march they warned my father who escaped. No one left dared stop us. I took over my father’s position in the firm. From now on I didn’t have to wait to see what my father might give me. From now on I could eat all the Ollie’s fries I wanted.

Part of the above story is not true. Hopefully you figured out I didn’t overthrow my father. Children don’t do things like that. And yet, haven’t we all heard stories where a grownup-child finagled a way to oust their parent-boss and take over the company? In a sense, that is what happened to King David. His son Absalom almost succeeded in his coup. So what did David do? He prayed. According to the historical heading, this prayer is recorded in the third Psalm.

“LORD, my foes have increased! There are many who attack me” (3.1). The one leading the charge is his son! The term had not yet been invented, but David and Absalom definitely have a dysfunctional relationship. Maybe you can relate. David’s enemies – led by his son – even claim, “There is no help for him in God” (3.2). Either they thought God had forsaken David; David had given up on God; or they were more powerful than God.

Praying, David calls Yahweh “a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head” (3.3). God is David’s help, his source of honor, and the one who gives him hope. Think about this. Although David is supported by his loyal army he knows his strength is ultimately God’s protection. Although David has lost all outward appearance of respect among his people, his inner nobility comes from above and not from the opinions of others. And although David is chased from his home, he trusts God will restore him. Is it because he is God’s anointed and remembers God’s promise (2 Sam.7.8-16)? Our position before God and His promises to us are powerful reminders. David has strength without the position of being king; honor without the nobility of sitting on the throne; and confidence he will again sit where God has placed him. That is David’s prayer. Because of David’s relationship with God, he can “lie down and sleep; (and) wake again because the LORD sustains me” (3:5).

There is part of the prayer we will deal with at another time (v.7): Does David wish harm on his “enemies?” For now focus on this: family, friends, job, church position – not even ourselves – can be the true source of our confidence, respect, and hope in life. That belongs to God; and no one can take it from us.

Prayer Challenge: Many can’t sleep, often because of family dysfunctions; so pray that we always look to God for our ultimate fulfillment.

Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible

This entry was posted by PHall on Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 at 10:09 am and is filed under Psalms. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.