July 6, 2016 (Wednesday)
In Psalm 3, David prays in the morning, triumphs over his fears, gives God the glory, and finds comfort.
David’s son, Absalom, became his enemy when he ousted his father and took his place on the throne of Israel. David had other enemies also.
Do we have enemies? Indeed we do. As David noted in the 23rd Psalm, God can prepare a feast for us in the presence of our enemies. Our enemies may be people, or they may be situations, temptations, trials, illness, death, sorrow, disappointment, disillusionment, and on and on. Something is fighting against our spiritual well-being today. What is it?
David confides in God, and God responds to him by being his protector and lifting his spirits. God’s confidence in us is stronger than whatever opposes our self-confidence. He gives us safety, honor and joy as he delivers us from our enemies. We are assured by God’s holy word that the Lord will work all things for the good of those who love him.
I can leave all my problems with God as I lie down to sleep. He will watch over me. He cares about me. “I will fear no evil, for he is with me.” He takes away all my fears. He hears and answers my prayers.
Our faith becomes triumphant as we pray. David began the psalm with complaints of the strength and malice of his enemies; but concludes with rejoicing in the power and grace of his God, and now sees more with him than against him. His morning prayer has brought him joy and peace. He can now face the day.
I MET GOD IN THE MORNING
I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.
So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!
By Bishop Ralph Cushman
LISTEN TO THIS POEM IN SONG (THE IMPERIALS)
David confides in God, and God responds to him by being his protector and lifting his spirits. God’s confidence in us is stronger than whatever opposes our self-confidence. He gives us safety, honor and joy as he delivers us from our enemies. We are assured by God’s holy word that the Lord will work all things for the good of those who love him.
I can leave all my problems with God as I lie down to sleep. He will watch over me. He cares about me. “I will fear no evil, for he is with me.” He takes away all my fears. He hears and answers my prayers.
Our faith becomes triumphant as we pray. David began the psalm with complaints of the strength and malice of his enemies; but concludes with rejoicing in the power and grace of his God, and now sees more with him than against him. His morning prayer has brought him joy and peace. He can now face the day.
PSALM 3
[New Living Translation (NLT)]
A Psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom
[New Living Translation (NLT)]
A Psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 2 So many are saying,”God will never rescue him!”
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. 6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.
7 Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked! 8 Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people.
I MET GOD IN THE MORNING
I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.
So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!
By Bishop Ralph Cushman
LISTEN TO THIS POEM IN SONG (THE IMPERIALS)