Look to God When Facing the Enemy
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. Psalm 3:1-8 (KJV)
Daivd is calling to God for help. Many had risen up against him. The backdrop of this Psalm is II Samuel 15, where David’s son, Absalom, drew the hearts of the men away from David and to himself. Absalom had an army pursuing David, to kill him. That is why David was in anguish, yet confident in God to save him.
Many were saying that David would find no help from God. David uses the word selah, meaning to pause and calmly think on this. When trouble comes, we must get quiet and think on God, looking to Him for help.
David calls to the Lord, Yahweh, which means the I Am who is present and will be what we need Him to be. David needed a shield of protection, and that is what He called on the Lord to be; a shield to guard, defend, protect, and ward off assaults and attacks.
David calls God his Glory and the Lifter Up of his head. God lifts us up when others try to knock us down. He lifts our head so we can look up and not down. When others say, “No help,” we say, “The Lord is our Help.”
David cried to the Lord and was heard. Selah; think about that. Do what David did when facing enemies. David found such peace in the Lord that he was able to lay down and sleep. The Lord sustained him. God gives sweet sleep to those He loves. He sustains us in our sleep, watching over us, protecting us, and even blessing us. We can rest knowing God is working for us.
No matter who is set against us, God is for us and will defeat our enemies. The Lord arises and saves us. He is our Savior and salvation. He takes care of our enemies by defeating them, smiting them. It is not our fight, but His.
Salvation belongs to God. His blessing is upon us, His people. Standing still, we see the Lord’s salvation. The blessing of the Lord is ours. Just selah and think of all the Lord is and all He does for us! Victory is ours.
