Psalm 3
Please read Psalm 3. Imagine people around you increasingly bringing false accusations against you — claiming, “Surely the Lord is not with them.” That can hurt deeply, especially from people who know you.
You can feel the distress as David describes the growing opposition against him. They accuse him — his salvation is not with the Lord. But David claims otherwise: it is. And it’s from that position — knowing who God is — that David can rest.
If you’re in a daunting situation — where opposition is growing, where people claim you cannot even find rest with God — remember: if you know Christ, and Christ knows you, is that claim even true?
Imagine a man, eyes wide open, staring up at the ceiling. The room is dimly lit from some outside source — the moon, maybe a street light. Voices drift in from outside. There’s always somebody awake around here, until about two in the morning. The thoughts of the day are like visitors that refuse to go home. Like the voices outside, why won’t they leave? Why are they so determined to torment? A soft echo of a memory rings in the man’s ears: “You have no hope. God will not save you now. You cannot find peace with God.” This memory haunts him, mainly because it came from more than one person. The voices meld together, and one keeps repeating it — even in his own voice. Is this going to last? Where is the relief? If this man were to linger instead on the faithful character of God, and remember that He is our salvation — rest would once again comfort his weary soul.
If you feel heavy and downtrodden, please pray this. If you are in a good situation, please lift up a brother or sister in prayer to the Lord.
Lord, how many times have I heard scoffing remarks, seen sideways looks that carry cold feelings? How many times have we not been given the chance to present our side, to plead our case? Do I not trust in You? Why are these people claiming that You are not with me? I trusted them — if only it were just strangers, but among them are the faces of friends, even family. You are my safe place of rest. I know Your character. I am innocent; my enemies gather against me for no wrong I have done. You are great. You will save me from my situation. You can give me peace and rest. Please, give me this rest — lift up my head. Provide safety and peace, so that I may rest, so that I can rise in the morning and praise Your name for the glorious salvation that is found only in You. Help me, Lord. In Your name, amen.
Remember — God knows your situation. He sees it, He knows it, and He is able to intervene and change everything in a moment. Take rest in the fact that He is a loving God. Look at His character. Find rest in who He is.