Psalm 3

Imagine being on the run. Imagine living in fear and doubt. Now imagine that on top of that, being rejected by all of the people who were supposed to be your friends. This is the life that David lived while being pursued by his son Absalom. Absalom was a broken man, who had to live in silence when his sister was assaulted by a man named Amnon. Eventually, he had Amnon killed and faced the punishment of David for doing so. Being punished for what he considered justice did not sit well with him, and he conspired to take the throne (2 Samuel 15). Eventually, he finally was able to become king, if only for a little while. And he won the hearts and minds of the people of Israel over to his side, so people assumed that God was done with David, just as God had rejected Saul.

This psalm comes from the heart of a broken man, rejected and fallen. However, this psalm also comes from the heart of a man who trusts in God. He knows that, although he is surrounded by enemies, God will stand by him. He can sleep at night, although the cries of his enemies haunt his thoughts. He knows that ultimately, deliverance comes from God, the source of all blessing. Many people today know the rejection David speaks of. Many people know what it feels like to have people say "God is not with you" or "You can't truly be a follower of God." David's psalm reminds us that God decides who is worthy of receiving love. And God has decided to love the world enough to send His Son (John 3:16-17). As we hear the heart-cries of the rejected, let us have our ears tuned to hear Psalm 3 in their words. They are, after all, God's words.