Psalm 3
In Psalm 3 David has an enemy – his son, Absalom. As he writes this Psalm he is fleeing Jerusalem away from Absalom who has attempted to usurp David’s throne (vv. 1-2). In the rest of the Psalm David expresses his confidence in God to be his protector, to save him from Absalom.
For the past many months our Men’s Group has been looking at Holy Spirit references in the Gospels and the Epistles. As we read and discussed these many verses I’ve seen that the Holy Spirit was alive and active in my life, and I’ve encouraged others in the group to look back themselves and see His work in their lives. So part of what I’m doing in the Psalms is seeing God at work in my life as I read words written by others many, many centuries ago.
My first thought on this Psalm was that I don’t see myself as having any enemies – other than Satan and his demons (and my own self!). And even when I look back I see people who have done me wrong, but I didn’t actively see them as enemies. At Texas A&M University and the University of Delaware there were people who had power over me and used it against me, but I never had any indication from them that I was going to be terminated or not offered a job. It was more a “knife in the back” outcome – I never saw it coming. At my most recent position (Eastern Kentucky University) I had active enemies and I knew it – they did what they could to undermine me. In one sense their actions against me succeeded, but in another sense I was able to rise above these difficulties and have a good career at EKU. My most prominent enemy back then has now become a very good friend.
I wish that I had been more in tune with the Psalms back then. As we read through the Psalms we’ll see a number of “enemies” Psalms, mostly from King David, and we’ll constantly see him expressing his confidence in the Lord’s protection and seeking His deliverance. Today we see that confidence in verses 5 and 6: 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. Most interesting to me is that David slept comfortably, even though he knew he was under attack. We also need to stay at rest when difficulties arise. There will be negative outcomes, but if we look back we’ll see God’s hand in all those outcomes. We can learn well from Joseph when his brothers did him wrong: But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear … you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good… (Genesis 50:19-20a).