Peace in the Struggle
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
Psalm 3:3 (CSB)
Struggle affects all of us at different times in life. It arises from both external and internal circumstances. Although struggles bring discomfort and pain, they often lead to a search for the Lord. In Psalm 3, David prays as he faces a struggle, fleeing from his son, Absalom. In this moment, David exemplifies how to trust in the Lord during challenging situations.
The Pressure of the World (1-2). Psalm 3 opens with David feeling the weight of his struggle. The pressure is mounting as Absalom and his allies pursue him. David expresses that many say he appears to be alone, which may even lead people to think that God has abandoned him. Struggles often cause us to feel isolated. David acknowledges his condition and sets his heart to seek the Lord. When we experience pressures from the world and feel the threat of isolation, we must strive to see the Lord and seek Him honestly about the dynamics.
God Is My Refuge (3-4). David recalls the Lord's past work in his life. He recognizes that the Lord has acted as a shield of protection in the past and has provided victory. He likely reflects on moments such as facing Goliath or battling wild animals while tending to the sheep. God offered refuge and victory each time. The Lord's past actions enabled David to trust Him as his refuge in the present. When we encounter struggles in life, we should remember how the Lord has worked in our lives before and seek to trust Him as the refuge we need now.
Finding Comfort in the Lord (5-6). David acknowledges that the comfort he experiences comes from the Lord. He understands that nothing in this world can provide solace in times of struggle. The Lord enables him to sleep confidently despite the threats from his enemies, as the Lord is the cornerstone of his life. This comfort empowers David to overcome his fear of others by nurturing his faith in the Lord. The Lord offers the same comfort today when we rest in Him and allow Him to be our foundation.
Seeking Salvation With Confidence (7-8). David finds comfort in the Lord, but this does not stop him from seeking deliverance from Him. He cries out to the Lord with confidence, knowing that the Lord will hear him and respond to his cry. The key component is that David rests in the will of God and accepts God’s response to his plea because his heart seeks to be in the presence of and in alignment with the Lord. We can approach the Lord with confidence when we desire our hearts to be aligned with Him.
QUESTIONS
Can you describe a time when God served as the refuge in your life? How does that experience encourage you to look at Him as your refuge today?
Where do you seek to find comfort in the storms? Do you attempt to fix it? Do you attempt to find comfort from others? Do you find comfort to rest in the storm in the Lord?
