Payoff

Psalm 3:1 (KJV) [[A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.]] LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

(Proverbs 14 also read)

The note at the beginning of this verse tells us that this is toward the end of David’s reign over Israel.  At this point, his son led a revolt, drove him out of the city, and if he’d been able to get hold of him, probably would have executed him.  Later, when this becomes an actual battle, David gives the order that his son’s life is to be spared and when it isn’t, he goes into a time of grief and lament.

Picture the family dynamics here.  A man’s son sets out to kill him and usurp his position.  It’s pretty clear that this situation did not develop overnight.  David when he was young and first selected to be king may have been a man after God‘s own heart, but by the time he matured and developed into the man he was going to be, he left a lot to be desired.  One of the areas that he was a loser was being a parent.  Absalom did not just one day decide he was going to rebel.  This has been in the works for a long time.  David ignored it.  It did not work out well for him.

So?  What kind of future are you laying the ground work for?  God promises to watch over us and deliver us from evil.  Not sure that that promise extends to us deliberately creating situations that will eventually make life miserable for us.  Make sure that you live in such a way that God will extend His blessings upon you instead of letting you get what you pay for.  

Be Careful What You Ask For

Psalm 3:1-2 (KJV) 1 [[A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.]] LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

You’re looking at the situation where we see God stepping in to save David’s life.  When it comes right down to it, that’s not really what David wanted God to do.  Yes, David wanted to be removed from the threat that his son was presenting him.  The problem is that David wanted to be rescued without harming his son.  In fact, when victory seemed to be within reach his instructions were to not harm the poor boy.

God had a different salvation in mind.  Absolom would’ve been the next king if he’d won or if he’d been preserved.  God did not want that to happen.  He planned on preserving David’s life, but He did not plan on doing it at the cost of having this narcissistic, spoiled, power hungry, young man given the throne.

So?  David got what he was wanting in the sense of being preserved, but not in the way in which he wanted it to happen.  Be aware that God has our best interest in mind, but He also has His plans and His priorities.  Be careful what you ask for.  

Consider the Source

Psalms 3:2 (KJV) Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

Have other people given up on you?  Sometimes it is people who care deeply and have been pushed too far.  Other times it is people looking for an excuse.  Too often we allow ourselves to be influenced by what other people say and think about us.  I wonder if we do the same things to others around us.

If you look at the next verse, it has a whole different attitude, and that is the attitude we need to have.

(Psa 3:3 KJV)  But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Yes, God sees our sin and demands confession and repentance.  In spite of the fact that He is aware of our failures, He still waits to be a “shield” (4043) and to life us up.  

So?  He is waiting.  If you need a pick me up don’t go to the medicine cabinet, go the Almighty God.  His cure is longer lasting and has no negative side effects.