Meditate:
? The third psalm is a poem of faith, and the subtitle clearly States the author and background: "When David fled from his son Absalom" (Sam. 15: 6-23, 30-3 1). When writing this poem, Absalom rebelled, went astray, killed David, usurped the throne, and David was besieged.
? At this time, David was a heartbroken father and a king who lost power. He fled hastily, and his life was in danger, because "the rebels are very strong" (1 and 6; See section 15: 12). David sleeps in the wilderness and gets up in the morning. Strong pressure and severe pain enveloped his heart, and he could not bear it alone, so he opened his mouth and prayed to God. The poem begins with a lament: "Lord, my enemies have increased!" " (Section 1).
? At this time, David's situation was not optimistic, rumors spread all over the country, and people's embarrassing comments were endless (v. 2). It seems that all the glory of the past has gone with the wind, and there will be no return. The poverty at this time is in stark contrast to the glory when he ascended the throne. Times have changed, can David return to his former glory and restore his trust in God when he is in adversity? At this point, the author's heart sank. How can I have firm confidence in such a situation? When everything around us is far from our expectations, how can confidence persist?
? Thank God, David gave a different answer. Faith shifted David's eyes from his enemies to God. Although the environment is hard, it seems that Absalom's rebels will come soon, but David thinks he is the anointed of the Lord and the king chosen by God. David did not choose to be king, but God anointed him, so God should take full responsibility and be his "shield" (v. 3). David did not focus on the people who followed him and remained loyal to him, nor did he focus on the many rebels in the detention salon, but only looked up to God's promise. This is faith. Without hope, if you still believe in God's promise and God's protection, you will be unscathed and even turn the whole situation around. Only God is David's last trump card.
? David prayed to God not because he was desperate, but because he believed that God would listen to his prayer and answer his cry (v. 4). Even in despair, David never doubted that he was a blessed man. Whether we can still firmly believe that we are loved by God is the key to testing the faith of saints when things go against our wishes and we are in a desperate situation. At this point, the author can't help but think of what Martha and Mary said when they sent someone to see Jesus when their brother Lazarus was dying in chapter 1 1: "Lord, the person you love is sick!" (about 1 1: 3). This is really the most beautiful thing a person can say, and at least two facts can be said: 1. The person the Lord loves cannot escape the sufferings of the world: "The person you love is ill"; 2. Even if you are desperate, it can't prove that you are no longer the person the Lord loves: "The person you love is sick".
Later, David seemed to begin to look back on his escape life. When the rebels were strong, he was able to lie down, sleep peacefully and wake up safely, which was the loving care and protection of the Lord God (v. 5). These seemingly ordinary little things, under such circumstances, show God's kindness all the more, thus making David grateful. Every bit of daily life is the grace of the Lord. David's keen sense of God's grace greatly increased his confidence in God, so that David was able to declare his confidence: "Although tens of thousands of people surrounded me, I am not afraid" (v. 6).
? Then, David began to call on God to "get up" and personally intervene in this war, beating up politicians who seized power, plunged the country into chaos and displaced the people, smashing their evil plans and giving the people a pure land to live and work in (v. 7). David's appeal is not only for his own safety, but also for the future of God's people, which is an unshirkable responsibility of a leader. This is a reasonable appeal. As a king, David was deeply saddened to see that the people ignored the safety of the people because of the selfish desires of individual politicians, which made the country make waves, displaced people and mourned everywhere (v. 8). Therefore, David's call here is a righteous anger that understands God's heart, not a personal grudge.
? Finally, David clearly knows that the national disaster is at stake and life and death are at stake. Only God can save this country and people in distress, and only God can stabilize the national economy and people's livelihood and let people enjoy a peaceful life. Therefore, as a king, David is here to exercise the responsibility of a king and pray for God's blessing to the country and people (v. 8).
Reflection:
? What is my confidence when everything around me is not what I want? When I am in adversity, am I as keen on grace as David? When the pressure around me comes one after another and I am tired of coping, do I have complaints, doubts and disbelief in my heart? When I seem to be treated unfairly, do I still firmly believe in God's kindness and care?
? Looking back on the dark three years when the Association was dissolved and returned to my hometown in Henan in 2008, I still have a lingering fear. In those dark days, I don't know how many complaints I made to God, and my heart was full of malice. Running around, but there is still no way out. Every hopeful prayer ends in disappointment. The door of heaven seems to be locked tightly, and every heartfelt cry finally hits the floor heavily. The glory of the past seems to have become the past, and the days can only go on without hope, and I don't know when it will end. It was in that seemingly dark time that the impurities in life gradually emerged. Only then did I understand how many unseemly motives were hidden behind the seemingly loyal service. Seemingly humble service, but there is extreme pride in my heart. There is a self-righteous tendency to collect debts behind the busy Ministry, and inner ugliness and deception are exposed in the face of difficulties. Lord, forgive me, a sinner!
? I am deeply ashamed to see that David is still keen on God's grace in adversity and can find God's kindness and care even in trivial matters in life. I remember a saying: there is no shortage of beauty in life, only the eyes that find beauty. Used on the author, there is no lack of elegance in life, but I lack the eyes to find elegance. Lord, please have mercy on me, a poor blind man!
Application:
1. When the surrounding pressure came, David entrusted all the burdens to the Lord. Why do I have to bear it alone? Don't feel sorry for yourself, learn to talk to the Lord, and entrust all the joys, sorrows, confusions and pressures in your heart to the Lord!
2. Look at life from another angle, don't take anything for granted, face every moment and every paragraph with appreciation and gratitude, keep a keen awareness of God's grace, and thank God for his grace to me or others!
Confess my stupidity and blindness to God, and my past complaints to God, and ask God to increase my confidence so that I can trust and obey firmly.
Pray:
? Lord, please have mercy on me, a stupid and blind sinner. You spread grace around me, but I turned a blind eye. How stupid I am, please forgive me! When you have a good will, let me experience the pain in life. In order to purify me and make me more suitable for your use, I have resentment and bitterness towards you. Please forgive me! Please keep my eyes open so that I can keep an ardent heart for your grace and learn to live in your grace and take pleasure in you.