For Thou oh Lord are a shield for me...

         "For Thou oh Lord art a shield for me, the glory and the One who lifts my head" (Psalm 3:3).
This verse reminds me of a song sung by Byron Cage (Thou art a Shield for Me) some years ago. It speaks of God's protection around His people. Once we're alive, challenges, battles, storms, negative situations will come against us. We can't get away from or escape that. But we can't also ignore the fact that as children of God we are assured of His protection and covering in times of crisis.
          David faced crises at various times in his life, including the crisis that promoted the penning of this Psalm 3. He was running from his son Absalom who was trying to take over his kingdom (see 2 Samuel chapters 15 - 18). He cried out to his God and literally put his life in God's very capable hands and of course, God did not fail him. His son, Absalom, was killed and he regained his kingdom.
         It is interesting to note how confident David was in his God. In verse 5 he says: "I lay down and slept; I awoke for the Lord sustained me." David, in the midst of his turmoil and distress was able to sleep with the confidence that his God would take care of him. How many times do we miss sleep, are unable to rest, because we are stressed over situations. Yet, in God, we can rest. We can put the problem in His hands and sleep comfortably knowing that while we sleep, God is taking care of the situation. Not only that, but He is protecting and keeping us while we are asleep so we don't have to worry or fear. In verse 6 David says with confidence: "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around." "Ten thousands", that's a lot of enemies coming against you at the same time! Yet, David says he will not be afraid if they surround him. Why? Because he knows that his God will rescue him! Although David feels outnumbered, and he is, this fact never once caused him to fear or to lose confidence in his God. I think David understood perfectly how big and powerful his God is.

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          He never once loses confidence in God's ability to protect and deliver him. Maybe it was because of what he learned when he was a shepherd and had to protect his sheep from dangerous elements. God protected and delivered him then. Maybe his slaying of Goliath in the name of his God gave him confidence. God protected and delivered him then too. Maybe it was his long season of running from King Saul that built his confidence. God protected and delivered him then too. David went through many trials and testings in his life and God protected and delivered him every time. So, why should he not have confidence in his God now while fleeing from his son Absalom. 
          Maybe we need to be like David. If we're honest with ourselves, God has delivered us time and again from a variety of challenges, even scary situations. He has never failed us. So, how dare we forget His faithfulness as we face another trial, another test? The same God that saved us before will save us now and even after now. God does not change. The situation may change, but our God remains the same Deliverer, Healer, Fighter of our battles. His attributes will never change.

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