Where does my help come from?

During one of my morning quiet times this week, I was reading from Psalm 3. Psalm 3, like so many others, was written by David. The context of this psalm comes from the rebellion against David’s kingship that was led by his own son, Absalom.

David had to flee the capital city because of the threat against him and along that journey he had to deal with the stress associated with such a political struggle as well as the internal heartbreak he must have felt from his son’s betrayal.

When the rebellion is defeated and his son Absalom is killed, a messenger comes to David to deliver the “good” news. The exchange between David and the messenger reads like this.

“My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has delivered you today from all who rose up against you.”

The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”    II Samuel 18:31-32

Absalom is dead, but the Kingdom has been restored. How does David respond?

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”  II Samuel 18:33

Losing a child has to be one of the most difficult experiences any of us could ever face. David dealt with that kind of loss on multiple occasions in his life.

In the “valley of the shadow of death” David learned that deliverance and restoration can only come from God.

This is how he expresses that truth in Psalm 3.

O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”

But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.

Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

*The title of this post comes from here.

Categories: Bible Study