Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 3:1 and following. Indeed, many psalms were composed in special circumstances that inspired some of their content. David’s flight from Absalom was the occasion God used to give us Absalom (2 Sam 15:1-2 Sam 18:33). While the unworthy son plots against his father, “the gentle psalmist of Israel” (2 Sam 23:1-7), instead of preparing his defense, expresses in a hymn his trust in his God. No matter how many enemies there are, as long as Jehovah has placed himself as a protective “shield” between these “myriads of the people” and his beloved (Gen 15:1-6; Dt 33:26-29). So the latter can enjoy a gentle sleep in the midst of the greatest dangers, knowing that the Lord watches over him. An episode in the Lord’s life illustrates this perfect tranquility: During the storm, when the furious waves were already filling the boat, “he was at the stern, sleeping on a cushion (Mark 4:35-41). See also the example of Peter in prison: Herod wanted him to be compared the next day, probably to make him die. But he, far from tormenting himself, slept peacefully in the midst of his chains (Acts 12:5-10). Happy confidence! May God give us to realize it! Verset 8 shows that for David, the blessing of the people is more valuable than his own security. Israel is still God’s people, though in revolt against His anointed.
This psalm is the fervent meditation of a grieving servant of God. This may have been David’s experience, but the Spirit of Jesus is revealed in it. It is a meditation or morning prayer and we see the afflicted taking courage, because he now wakes up safely. He has in this awakening as the foretaste and the morning pledge of his kingdom, when all his enemies will be annihilated. This early rise of the pious man is precious and remarkable to be regarded as the assurance of the coming of the kingdom; for the kingdom will be very close to being established when the “last days” have arrived and the residue is manifested. For it’s the Spirit of Christ acting in the faithful of the residue and producing appropriate feelings: In accordance with this rule, Ps. 3 to 7 present to us in general, and as for the principle, the condition of the residue and the thoughts and feelings produced in the faithful by the Spirit of Christ, in the midst of the state of affairs which is the consequence, in Israel, of the personal rejection of Christ. There is no allusion to the circumstances in which the faithful historically find themselves, before Ps. 9 and 10; that is why these five Psalms expose to us the operation of the Spirit of Christ in the faithful, producing the proper moral fruits, so as to initiate us into the condition of the pious residue, the holy seed that is in Judah, when everything is in ruins.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Surrounded by enemies:
· The Ungodly, a great multitude prepared to fight against God’s people
Jg 7:12 Midian, Amalek, and all the sons of the East, were spread in the valley like a multitude of grasshoppers, and their camels were innumerable like the sand that is on the edge of the sea. 1 Kings 20:27 The children of Israel were also reviewed; they received food, and they marched to meet the Syrians. They camped opposite them, similar to two small herds of goats, while the Syrians filled the country. 2 Kings 18:17 The king of Assyria sent from Lakis to Jerusalem, to King Hezekiah, Tharthan, Rab Saris, and Rabschake with a powerful army. They went up, and they arrived in Jerusalem. When they were mounted and arrived, they stopped at the aqueduct of the upper pond, on the way to the field of the fuller. 2 Ch 20:2 They came to inform Jehoshaphat, saying: A multitude of people are advancing against you from the other side of the sea, from Syria, and they are at Hatsatson Thamar, which is in Guedi. Ps 3:6 I lie down, and fall asleep; I wake up, for the Lord is my support. Luke 22:47 As he was still speaking, behold, a crowd came; and the one who was called Judas, one of the twelve, walked before her. He approached Jesus to kiss him.
· Spiritual enemies
Ps 71:10 For my enemies speak of me, And those who watch for my life consult each other, Ps 109:20 Such be, on behalf of the Lord, the wages of my enemies, and of those who speak wickedly of me! Jer 18:20 Will evil be returned for good? For they dug a pit to take my life. Remember, I stood before you, In order to speak on their behalf, and to divert your anger from them. Ez 22:25 His prophets conspire in her womb; like roaring lions tearing apart their prey, they devour souls, they seize riches and precious things, they multiply widows in her midst. Eph 6:12 For we do not have to fight against flesh and blood, but against domination, against the authorities, against the princes of this world of darkness, against the wicked spirits in the heavenly places. 1 Pet 5.8 Be sober, watch. Your adversary, the devil, prowls like a roaring lion, looking for who he will devour.
· Trust in God, Examples
Ps 3:7 I do not fear the myriad peoples who besiege me from all sides. Ps 23:4 When I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me: Your leadership and your staff reassure me. Ps 46:3 That is why we are fearless when the earth is turned upside down, and the mountains totter in the heart of the seas, Ha 3:18 However, I want to rejoice in the Lord, I want to rejoice in the God of my salvation.
· Divine judgments, examples of men chastised by the
1 Sam 25:38 About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal, and he died. 2 Kings 6:18 The Syrians descended to Elisha. He then addressed this prayer to the Lord: Deign to strike this nation with blindness! And the Lord struck them blindly, according to the word of Elisha. 2 Kings 19:35 That night, the angel of the Lord came out, and struck in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand men. And when we got up in the morning, behold, they were all dead bodies. 2 Ch 26:20 The high priest Azaria and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he had leprosy on his forehead. They hurriedly kicked him out, and he himself hurried out, because the Lord had struck him. Acts 12:23 At the same moment, an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given glory to God. And he exhaled, gnawing at worms.
From all the above, we note thatPs 3 places the first, before us, the condition of residue in general, in contrast to Ps. 2, as well as the support and confidence of faith in this condition. The persecutors of pious man are multiplied; they rise and triumph over him as if God were lacking him: but Jehovah is his shield. He lies down in peace, and by faith he sees his enemies struck and their power overthrown. Salvation is of Jehovah and His blessing is upon His people. Here again, let us notice, we find ourselves in the last days; the pious man, though surrounded by his enemies, rests in peace, and prophetically, sees their destruction, and blessing on Israel. This Psalm is the expression of trust in God in the midst of multiplied enemies and in a position without resources. No doubt Christ has fully entered this position, but the Psalm takes us back to the last days, after the proof of the non-fulfillment of Ps. 2 was established, during the first presentation of Christ as Messiah to Israel. For theprinciples characteristic of the position of these faithful, the various feelings that unfold there, are placed before us. There is not this powerful expression that escapes from the heart under the pressure of the circumstances in the midst of which it finds itself; but each moral phase brings to light the various feelings that the Spirit of Christ must produce in relation to God. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and for centuries of ages. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” the call to the God of righteousness.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.