May 19, 2001

"I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will
not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves
against me round about." Psalm 3:5-6

This has been called "a morning psalm." This is a good psalm with which
to start the day.
The historical record of David as he fled from his son Absalom is found
in 2Samuel, chapters 15-18. David was in a difficult situation. He had
become an outcast and a fugitive from his own city Jerusalem, which is
called the city of David. He had been driven from the people he ruled.
Absalom, his son, was in rebellion against him and seeking his life.
Absalom's intention was actually to put his father to death. Your heart
cannot help but to go out to David during this heartbreaking experience.
As David fled, the enemy was on the side-lines cursing him. Abishai, one
of his mighty men said, "Let me run a spear through him." David said,
"Oh, no." The prophet Nathan had told David that God would punish him
for his sins. In 2Samuel 12:11 Nathan said to David, "Thus saith the
Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house,
and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy
neighbor. . . ." Why would this happen? Because David had sinned
greatly, and he was not going to get away with it. God has graciously
forgiven David and restored him, but David has to reap the results of
his sin; and it is in his son's rebellion that he does it. David's
enemies had increased on all sides and the hearts of the men of Israel
followed Absalom. The Scripture tells us, ". . . The hearts of the men
of Israel are after Absalom" (2Sam. 15:13). He was clever and able to
promise the people many good things which he would not have been able to
deliver.
During the time of Absalom's rebellion there were many other who rose up
against David. He went out of Jerusalem barefoot and weeping. It looked
as if there was no help for him at all.
Yet, in spite of all the problems and troubles that David had, he
trusted in the Lord. He could sleep at night! He wasn't able to get an
aspirin or a sedative to put him to sleep. He simply trusted in the
Lord, pillowed his head on the promises of God, and went to sleep! How
many of us pillow our heads on God's promise when we retire at night?
"I awaked; for the LORD sustained me." Then David says that he would not
be afraid if ten thousands of people set themselves against him. Even
though the whole world was against him, David says he will not be
afraid.
If there were more fear of God today, there would be less "kissing-up!"
There are many of people today who go around with "brown noses" because
of "kissing-up." Why do they do it? Perhaps there is no fear of God in
them! The thing that gives you courage is to fear God! If you fear God,
then you have no man to fear! David trusted in God ~ Why won't we?
God Bless you as you pillow your head tonight on the promises of God.

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