OUR SAFETY AMID FOES
Psalm 3
INTRODUCTION
We do not go through life very long until we find there are people who don’t like us. Some don’t like us because of personality conflicts. Some are jealous. Some are just spiteful. Some just don’t like anyone. Then there are the terrorists.
There is also the spiritual terrorists. They hate God and His work. They can’t get to Him so the get to us instead. Some are people we meet and know. Others are from the spirit realm. The greatest spiritual terrorist is Satan.
Here is a law of life and nature: We cannot move without causing friction. As an object is slid across the floor, friction is created. An automobile causes wind friction.
Likewise as we start moving in our Christian life, we cause spiritual friction.
THEME: WHEN WE TRY TO LIVE FOR GOD:
I. WE WILL HAVE AND OPPOSITION IN LIFE 3:1-2
A. Lord vs. 1
1. The only Person we can tell
2. The only Person who can help
B. How Are They Increased That Trouble Me
1. Trouble always comes in flocks
2. A fact of life: There are more of them than us
C. Many Are They That Rise Up Against Me
1. Many versus:
2. Me
NOTE: Any one of us plus God equals a majority
NOTE: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world I John 4:4
D. Many There Be Which Say Of My Soul vs. 2
1. There are always those who know better than us concerning our selves
2. My soul
a. Not referring to the soul or spirit
b. Life or value of my life
E. There Is No Help For Him In God
1. The most unkindest cut of all
2. God will not rise up and help him
NOTE: What they said about Jesus on the cross
3. The greatest fear is there is no help from God
4. God
a. They use the Hebrew term, El, for power
b. David uses the Hebrew term, Jehovah, for personal relationship
F. Selah
1. A musical term for rest
2. A proper place to pause and ponder
3. Found in the Bible
a. 71 times in Psalms
b. 3 times in Habakkuk
T.S. WHEN WE TRY TO LIVE FOR GOD:
I. WE WILL HAVE AND OPPOSITION IN LIFE
II. WE WILL HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD 3:3-4
A. Because Of What He Is To Us vs. 3
1. Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me
a. What God said He was to Abraham Genesis 15:1
b. A shield defends the owner from arrows of the enemy
2. My glory
a. Expressing belief in the presence of God
b. Oh, for grace to see our future glory amid present problems!
c. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience Romans 5:3
3. The lifter up of mine head
a. The head in time of trouble and sorrow is bowed down as if over powered with the weight of affliction
b. To life up the head is to relieve our distresses, to take away our troubles
B. Because We Know Where To Go With Our Problems 3:4
1. We cry unto the Lord with our voice
2. He hears out of His holy hill
a. At all times
1) He does not sleep
2) He does not go on vacations
3) He does not tire of our cries
b. In all needs
3. Holy hill
a. He is not with our enemies
b. He is where sacrifices are made for us cf. Jesus
NOTE: Selah
T.S. WHEN WE TRY TO LIVE FOR GOD:
I. WE WILL HAVE AND OPPOSITION IN LIFE
II. WE WILL HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD
III. WE WILL HAVE REST IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE 3:5-6
A. I Laid Me Down And Slept vs. 5
NOTE: Two sleeps
a. The sleep of presumption
b. The sleep of confidence
1. So powerful is this sleep, it can make us lie down as cheerfully to sleep in the grave as on the softest bed
NOTE: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation
Luke 2:29-30
2. David could experience that sleep
a. He lost his home
b. He lost his kingdom
c. He was a fugitive
B. I Waken; For The Lord Sustained Me
1. This is called a morning hymn
2. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3
C. I Will Not be Afraid 3:6
1. Of ten thousands
a. We are despite appearances
b. Are we only to trust when appearances are favorable?
2. Instead of rising above the weakness of the flesh, we take refuge under it and use it for an excuse for not standing for God
NOTE: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 8:39
3. Have set themselves against me round about
a. A military expression
b. That is why we have to put on the whole armour of God
NOTE: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us Romans 8:37
T.S. WHEN WE TRY TO LIVE FOR GOD:
I. WE WILL HAVE AND OPPOSITION IN LIFE
II. WE WILL HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD
III. WE WILL HAVE REST IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE
IV. WE WILL HAVE DELIVERANCE BY GOD 3:7-8
A. Arise, O Lord; Save Me vs. 7
1. The opening words of the ancient marching shout of Israel
2. Absalom had the numbers (crowd); David had the Lord
3. O Lord
a. El
b. David knows His power
c. You have the power to save me
B. Thou Hast Smitten All Mine Enemies Upon The Cheek Bone, Thou Hast Broken The Teeth Of The Ungodly vs. 7
1. The cheek or jaw bone
a. The strength of the teeth is in the jaw bone
b. The climax of insult is to show that all spirit and power of resistance is gone
2. Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly
a. The image of wild beasts with teeth to tear
b. Now, no power to hurt
C. Salvation Belongeth Unto The Lord vs. 8
1. Salvation is the same as help in verse 2
2. If we are going to experience any deliverance, it must be by the Lord
D. Thy Blessing Is Upon Thy People vs. 8
1. One of the characteristics of the righteousness is to turn from our own condition to that of others
2. We desire that others will partake and enjoy what we have in Him
CONCLUSION
WHEN WE TRY TO LIVE FOR GOD:
I. WE WILL HAVE AND OPPOSITION IN LIFE
II. WE WILL HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD
III. WE WILL HAVE REST IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE
IV. WE WILL HAVE DELIVERANCE BY GOD
