The Lord Provides Through Problems – Psalm 3

1. Read: Psalm 3

2. About the Text:

1) The heading of this Psalm says that it was written when David fled from Absalom.

2) That story is found in 2 Samuel 15.

3) It is a profoundly sad and tragic story about a son who usurps his father’s kingship.

4) When David fled, Absalom’s armies were coming to conquer Jerusalem.

5) Can you imagine your own child seeking to take your life?

6) Can you imagine your own child bringing an army to do it?

7) Many of the Psalms are written to show how God helps in difficult situations.

8) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Those who troubled David had increased.

1) For years Absalom had been working behind David’s back to take control of the kingdom.

2) Now Absalom has amassed an army at Hebron ready to conquer Jerusalem.

3) The news comes to David in 2 Samuel 15:13 – “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

2. Many rose up against him.

1) Among the many were Ahithophel, David’s counselor.

2) Amasa was David’s nephew and he commanded the armies of Absalom (2 Samuel 17:25).

3) Shimei cursed David and threw stones at him as he left Jerusalem (2 Samuel 16:6).

3. Many were saying about David, “There is no help for him in God.”

1) This is a stinging allegation.

2) There were so many on Absalom’s side that people were saying that not even God could help David.

4. The Bible teaches us that troubles are going to come, and we cannot avoid them.

1) “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).

2) “confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

3) “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Peter 4:12).

1. The LORD is a shield.

1) David was in a fight for his life; he needed a shield.

2) A shield is only relevant during battle.

3) A shield doesn’t mean that arrows don’t fly and swords don’t swing.

4) It means that when the shield is held, that they will not get through.

5) David’s shield was the Lord.

6) It did not prevent Absalom from attacking.

7) It protected David from Absalom’s attacks succeeding.

2. The Lord is glory.

1) David says the Lord is his glory.

2) The Hebrew word literally means “weighty one.”

3) It was the Lord to whom David gave significance/meaning for His life.

4) David’s faith was so great that nothing outweighed the significance of God, not even his own family and friends.

3. The Lord is the lifter of heads.

1) David says the Lord lifted his head.

2) To have one’s head lifted means that it must first be lowered.

3) We can either lower our heads before God or God will lower them for us.

4) David’s head had been lowered because of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam.12:10-12).

5) The rebellion of Absalom was the consequence of that sin.

6) But David trusted in the mercy and grace of God to raise His head up again.

4. When we put our faith and trust in God, He will protect us in times of trouble but we must humble ourselves before Him in faith.

1) “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

2) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

3) “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

5. God’s grace and mercy is greater than our sin.

1) “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20).

2) “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’”

1. David laid down and slept.

1) Sleep is a time of vulnerability.

2) The pursued find difficulty sleeping. David did not. Why?

3) He put his faith and trust in God.

2. He woke because the Lord sustained him.

1) David credits his making it through the night to the Lord’s providence.

2) No foe had come to take his life.

3) No fear had come to deny his rest.

3. David would not be afraid if 10,000 people opposed to him.

1) Fear is a great enemy; if we permit it to go unchecked, it will destroy us.

2) David’s fear is conquered by his faith.

3) The result is integrity that won’t bow under pressure from others.

4) The result is a faith that will fight with courage in the face of great adversity.

4. Trust in God brings a sleep of peace.

1) “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

2) “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24).

3) “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2).

5. The Lord sustains all things, but the faithful consider themselves blessed.

1) “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).

2) “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13).

3) “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

1. David says, “Arise!” and “Save me!” to God.

1) David calls upon the Lord to stand up for him.

2) In our most desperate hours, our cries to God take the form of simply ecstatic pleas.

2. David says that God has already defeated his enemies.

1) He says God has struck them on the cheek and broken their teeth.

2) It is an image of a severe and mortal head wound.

3. David recognizes the only source of salvation.

1) Salvation is of the Lord.

2) Blessing is upon God’s people.

3) Salvation and blessing is used synonymously here.

4) To be blessed is to be saved.

4. We are saved from our enemies by calling upon the Lord.

1) “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:3).

2) The greatest enemy is sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).

3) “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

1. The Lord provides through problems.

1) He hears the Allegations

2) He gives Assurance

3) He provides Alleviation

4) He engages in Action

2. Invitation