2005-03-20 - The Lord's Annointed

Psalm 3, Part 3

Verses 3-4: David expresses his confidence in God. He will not be overwhelmed by his circumstances, because he can depend on God to act as He sees fit. When David is at his most helpless, he clearly expresses that his confidence isn't in his own resources, but rather in the mercy of God. The Lord Himself is David's shield, or benefactor, the One who watches over him.

David gives God credit for all that he is. He says God is the source of his glory. We don't know specifically to what he is referring. We can assume he realizes all that is positive in his life is a product of God's work, and not to his own honor. David is in a cave because of who he is. His hope for aid is grounded in who God is. It is this knowledge that causes David to see God as the one who lifts up the head, that is, gives him peace to live in the midst of pain.

Verses: 5-6: David goes on to point out that his faith in God is grounded in the past history of God's responses from Jerusalem. He could sleep because God was there for him. Clearly this doesn't mean David wasn't in pain. When he awoke, his focus was on the negative nature of his position. We know this because this is how his prayer opens, but as he focuses on the Lord, his awareness moves from the detrimental character of his situation, to the reality of love and mercy of God.

We can see exactly how David's mind works in this situation. Apparently the previous night, due to his confidence in the Lord, he was able to sleep securely. It would seem, though, from the psalm itself, that at first on waking, David is greatly burdened by the memories of his situation. He cries out to God about how bad things are. As he weeps, his focus moves from his situation to the Lord, and we see his confidence grow. Nothing has changed in circumstances, but plenty has changed in his outlook. Finally he asks God to save him from his situation.

It is important to note here that action against David in his capacity as king wasn't against him as an individual, but as the head of God's people. Action against the king was action against God Himself. David reinforced this truth, when he had been unwilling to harm Saul, even knowing that he would replace him as king. (see 2 Samuel 24).

"Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, ‘My lord the king!'… ‘I will lift not lift my hand against my master, because he is the Lord's anointed'" (1 Samuel 24:8, 10).

To be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org