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Pray with Confidence
(Psalms)
Text: Psalm 3
This is the first psalm with a title and description in the text itself.
David’s circumstances (vss 1-2)
- David faces mounting opposition.
- Absalom put together a strong conspiracy against his father, David. Even adding Ahithophel, Bathsheba’s grandfather, who was David’s high-ranking counselor. David fled the capital with all of his supporters and their families. All of his servants and their little ones hastily grabbed what they could and took off towards the wilderness. David followed them, weeping, and walking barefoot with his head covered in shame.
- People are the trouble and the numbers against David are increasing. These people are convinced that David is the enemy. Their disgust and cynicism for David are growing.
- This young man who stood up for the LORD against a giant and became a hero to the Jewish people. This man after God’s heart was the LORD’s second choice for king in his generation. (God’s first choice is Jesus Christ) But now, David’s star has fallen. The dogs are gathering to eat him up like a wounded animal.
- The words increased and many feel like the walls are closing in.
- David faces many over-confident accusers who are Israelites
- They see David on the run and say among themselves that this is God’s judgment on David. But this is not God’s judgment on David.
- When the righteous appear to stumble, the wicked take courage. But appearances are not what they seem.
- When Jesus Christ was crucified, the religious leaders shot out their lips like poochy faces toward Jesus Christ and wagged their heads because they took his death to mean judgment of God on his wicked life.
David’s confession (vss 3-4)
- While some will turn to revenge, manipulation, drunkenness, or drugs, David looks to the LORD.
- The LORD is my shield
- The shield is personal.
- God is not a shield for everyone, but He is for David. God will not be a shield for David’s enemies, but David says the LORD is a shield for him. Why? Because David trusts the LORD by honoring Him.
- Second, David is not asking the LORD to be a shield; David declares that the LORD is his shield.
- He recognizes the battle is spiritual. The battle takes place in a physical world, but its nature is spiritual. We wrestle not against flesh and blood.
- The steel is not my shield, the LORD is my shield by guiding my path. As I follow Him, His ways are a shield.
- The LORD is my glory
- David says the LORD is my glory. That means let Him work. That means let His instruction be my guide so He can work.
- This is David’s heart. He wants the LORD to be honored. His true desire is for the God of Israel to get the respect and worship deserved by Him.
- The LORD is the lifter of my head
- David’s source of support is the God of Israel.
- The LORD restores David.
- The LORD is the answer to David’s prayer
- …and he heard me…
- David knew he had an answer to prayer in Hushai who was taken into Absalom’s inner circle. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:
- The LORD moves on the prayers of his people. And His people know they receive answers from Him.
- God is David’s shield, glory, the lifter of his head. This is David’s faith and it leads to David’s confidence.
David’s confidence (vss 5-6)
- David trusts therefore, David prays and David has peace.
- His peace Is a direct result of his trust
- It results in his rest because God sustained him and David truly believes what he is saying.
- David is being hunted. He is outnumbered, but faith replaces fear.
- Once again, this battle is spiritual. It’s not the size or speed of the enemy, it is the guidance of God that gets the victory.
- Great peace have they which love God’s law
David’s request (vss 7-8)
- David finally makes his request in this song.
- Lord, this is the situation, but I have trusted you by following you. You have given me confidence and now I ask that you save me from these enemies.
- Salvation belongs to the LORD.
- You need to think of this as a model prayer.
