Pleading and Praising

Day three hundred forty-eight

Yesterday was a tough day for me.  There were several times when I had to re-think myself and adjust my attitude.  I'm not exactly sure why I was struggling so much, but it was one of those inner battle days.  My frustration level was high and my patience was low.  I tend to be hard on myself during these days, I expect better of myself.  I have so much good in my life why would I let the little things annoy me so much? I said many little prayers throughout the day (something I learned from Nehemiah) asking the Lord to help me with my perspective.  Eventually, I was able to get a grip on what was going on and get myself under control. This morning I reflected on my day yesterday and thanked the Lord for the opportunity to lean on Him.  I know that He loves me and is teaching me to deal with life's challenges in a more spiritual way, His way.  I am really grateful for that.  

Psalm 3

This psalm begins with David's cries: "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me!" (v 1) and "I cried unto the Lord with my voice..." (v 4).  He is pleading for help.  David finds himself in one of the most difficult situations of his life.  He was fleeing from his son Absalom, who had turned against him and had driven him from Jerusalem.

Why would his son turn on him?

David’s oldest son, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar. Tamar’s brother, Absalom, took revenge by murdering Amnon. Absalom fled into exile for several years, but later was permitted to return. But after his return, David refused to see his wayward son for two years. The resentment built and Absalom began to court the disgruntled people in the kingdom, offering himself as a more sympathetic leader than his powerful father was. And so we find David in the wilderness with his army.

Now you may not have found yourself in such a difficult situation as David's, but I believe most people will come upon times when their life seems to be falling apart around them.  It is because of this that I think we can all relate to this psalm.  What would you do if you were in David's shoes?  What do you do when you come upon the hard times in your life?

David sets a great example for us.  In verses 3-4 he focuses on what God did for him in the midst of trouble.  In essence David says, "Lord you protect me, you are the source of my glory, you lift me up when I am down and you answer my prayers."  This is amazing to me.  What great perspective he has to thank God for all He has done in his life during one of the most difficult times in his life. 

David continues to show his trust in God in verse 5: "I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me".  How could David sleep with so much going on?  It would be difficult to lie down and sleep knowing that you are in a dangerous wilderness and that your own son is trying to kill you!

Notice that David sees both sleep and waking as evidence of God’s blessing. Sleep was a blessing, because David was under such intense pressure from the circumstances of Absalom’s rebellion that sleep might be impossible, but he slept. Waking was another blessing because many wondered if David would live to see a new day. Again, what a great perspective!

Sometimes how well we sleep indicates how much we really trust the Lord. I have had many sleepless nights worrying over things far less distressing than what David is going through.  If I really trusted the Lord I would find the peace that David did and I would spend less time lying awake with thoughts running through my head and more time enjoying the blessing of a restful sleep.  

There is power in the blessing of this kind of sleep.  David awakens with a renewed attitude:
"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people..." (v 6), "for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly" (v 7).  He has a strong confidence in the Lord. It is amazing what a rested soul can do for one's outlook.

The psalm ends with David's singing a song of praise, "Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people" (v 8).

Difficult circumstances often rob us of our peace and our perspective. When we find ourselves in adverse circumstances or in the face of frightening consequences there are some things we can do to help the situation: admit your trouble, affirm your trust in God, and be encouraged by the knowledge that God protects you and gives you peace in the midst of the storm.  You may begin the day pleading for help, but if you are trusting the Lord, it could end with you praising Him for the help He has given you!