TUESDAY, JULY 3
Psalm 3:1-8
2 Samuel 15:32-17:23

“… who walk in the law
of the LORD.”

“MY SON, MY SON!”

What greater tragedy could you imagine than a son should rebel against his father? And in the course of rebellion the closest friends of the father should side with the son? When such a rebellion involves a king, it shakes up the whole nation. In the struggle between David and Absalom, every shade of human intrigue is revealed with stark nakedness. The darkest of it all is treachery and the scoundrel in David’s case is Ahithophel. We see also the brightest in loyalty, and the hero is Hushai. This loyal friend of David was God’s instrument against Ahithophel. (Read 2 Samuel 15:32-17:23.)

While we implore the Almighty for help, we must be willing to do His bidding. As King George VI rallied the British Empire to a Day of Humiliation and Prayer when attacked by Hitler’s Germany, he admonished his subjects, “Let us pray not so much that God be on our side as we be on God’s side.” David has triumphed over every enemy because he is on God’s side and God is on his side. Is our heart right with God and man?

This Psalm is made up of four stanzas inasmuch as there are four stances of David’s seeking before his God.

I. Ps 3:1-2: David cries out to God for the rebellion against him. How the enemy delights to see God’s children down and out! Do we exult over our enemy when he falls? Heed Solomon’s admonition in Proverbs 24:17-18.
II. Ps 3:3-4: David’s prayer is answered! David has confidence that he will return to his palace because God is his garrison. So is everyone who prays earnestly and finds peace in his heart.
III. Ps 3:5-6: One extended result of peace from answered prayer is sound sleep, even when one is checkmated on every side. Physical strength is begotten of spiritual strength (Ps 127).
IV. Ps 3:7-8: Having seen how God has silenced the evil-speaking enemy and the devouring enemy, David pleads for further deliverance. David’s declaration of help obtained from a sovereign God is the basis of Calvin’s doctrine that salvation is of the Lord, not of man.

THOUGHT: “What a friend we have in Jesus.”
PRAYER: Lord, let me always be on Thy side.