Wednesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 3:1-6
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”
Interlude
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.
Interlude
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.
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”
Interlude
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.
Interlude
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.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
3:1 Protection from earthly enemies prefigures protection from the ultimate evils of Satan, sin, and death (Heb. 2:14–15). God the Father delivered Christ from his enemies in his resurrection (Acts 3:13–15), and that is the basis for our deliverance (Rom. 4:25).
3:2 Salvation here, as generally in the OT, refers to both physical and spiritual deliverance from danger. The fact that they are saying this of his soul indicates that the enemies are taunting him: his sins are so bad, they imply, that God cannot save him.
3:3–6 What He Believes. The singer calls to mind the variety of ways in which God has cared for him in the past, and how he was able in faith to sleep peacefully in the face of danger. These past experiences build his confidence for the present, enabling him to walk by faith and not by sight.
3:5 Being preserved through the night anticipates the hope of resurrection after the “sleep” of death (13:3; 1 Thess. 4:13–18).
3:2 Salvation here, as generally in the OT, refers to both physical and spiritual deliverance from danger. The fact that they are saying this of his soul indicates that the enemies are taunting him: his sins are so bad, they imply, that God cannot save him.
3:3–6 What He Believes. The singer calls to mind the variety of ways in which God has cared for him in the past, and how he was able in faith to sleep peacefully in the face of danger. These past experiences build his confidence for the present, enabling him to walk by faith and not by sight.
3:5 Being preserved through the night anticipates the hope of resurrection after the “sleep” of death (13:3; 1 Thess. 4:13–18).
Study Questions:
- David took his complaints to the Lord, but he didn't just complain. He went beyond that. In verses 3-6, something has shifted. Even though David was distraught at his situation and didn't see a way out, he began to remember how faithful God had been in the past. He started confessing his trust in God. Even though David's situation hasn't changed, you can see his perspective start to change. He realizes that God is a shield that is all around him, and that if God did it before he can do it again. Think about a time in your life that God came through for you. Think back to an answer to prayer or when he proved himself faithful. And what should that do to your faith in God the NEXT time you face a trial? Record all this in your journal.
- Isn't it amazing how easily we forget how good God has been to us? How many blessings he has bestowed upon us? How many times he's come through for us? Many times we don't even give him credit in the moment, and others we let fade with time. One of the best ways we can ensure we stay humble and live joyful lives is to have a thankful, grateful heart. When we remember what God has done for us in the past, our confidence in him grows, just like David's. And with humble, joyful hearts we are more capable of facing today's challenges. Thanksgiving should be a daily habit. Take some extra time for prayer today. In a journal, follow the ACTS model of offering your prayers to God (below).
Pray:
- Adoration - worship him for who he is
- Confession - confess any unconfessed sin in your life
- Thanksgiving - thank him for who he is and what he's done
- Supplication - tell God what you need
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