LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.
Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
-Psalm 3(NKJV)
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.
Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
-Psalm 3(NKJV)
Wow, even when surrounded by ten thousand of his enemies, David does not lose faith in the Lord. How many of us would have the faith that David has? So often when faced with adversity we condemn God, we get angry with Him, we stop speaking to Him, we stop believing in Him…but He is always faithful.
Several years ago now, I was faced with significant adversity in my life. I, like so many, turned away from God…I was angry with Him for allowing the circumstances surrounding the adversity in my life to happen. I even got angry with my own brother because in my mind he had no adversity. I was jealous of him in so many ways and coveted what he had. God never let anything happen to him, everything always seemed so perfect for him, he never had to suffer at least not like I had to suffer. Of course, none of that was true but I thought it was and it took many years for me to let go of my resentment and anger toward my brother and just as long for me to come back to God. My envy and jealous heart kept me from truly experiencing God in my life. And how did God respond, did He write me off? No, looking back now, I realize that God’s hand was present in my life in and through the adversity. He was faithful, even when I was not. And the amazing thing is that the adversity I have had in my life has molded me into the person I am today, the person God is using for His purpose and I wouldn’t change it even if I could. He is the potter and I the clay to be molded and shaped for His purpose and His glory.
While we may not understand why we are facing the adversity and troubles we have in our lives, there is comfort and assurance in knowing that God is faithful, that He is on the throne and that He is a shield for us. What would it be like to have faith like David did? Even when you are being attacked on all sides and life looks grim, to know that God is with you and He is your shield. Ask God to be your shield today and take comfort in knowing that He is faithful.
Several years ago now, I was faced with significant adversity in my life. I, like so many, turned away from God…I was angry with Him for allowing the circumstances surrounding the adversity in my life to happen. I even got angry with my own brother because in my mind he had no adversity. I was jealous of him in so many ways and coveted what he had. God never let anything happen to him, everything always seemed so perfect for him, he never had to suffer at least not like I had to suffer. Of course, none of that was true but I thought it was and it took many years for me to let go of my resentment and anger toward my brother and just as long for me to come back to God. My envy and jealous heart kept me from truly experiencing God in my life. And how did God respond, did He write me off? No, looking back now, I realize that God’s hand was present in my life in and through the adversity. He was faithful, even when I was not. And the amazing thing is that the adversity I have had in my life has molded me into the person I am today, the person God is using for His purpose and I wouldn’t change it even if I could. He is the potter and I the clay to be molded and shaped for His purpose and His glory.
While we may not understand why we are facing the adversity and troubles we have in our lives, there is comfort and assurance in knowing that God is faithful, that He is on the throne and that He is a shield for us. What would it be like to have faith like David did? Even when you are being attacked on all sides and life looks grim, to know that God is with you and He is your shield. Ask God to be your shield today and take comfort in knowing that He is faithful.
COACH'S CALL TO ACTION
- How has the Lord been your shield, how has He sustained you when you have faced adversity and troubles in the past?
- Who or what is rising up against you today?
- What would it look like to have faith like David in this adversity today?
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