Are you aware that you can cry out to the Lord and He will listen to you? This is one of the most comforting and powerful truths of the Christian faith. Yet, with the passing of time, it is possible for believers to become so familiar with this promise that it begins to feel ordinary. Perhaps the years we have spent walking on the Lord’s path make us see as normal the eternal truth that He promised to be with us until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). What a dangerous thing it is when what is glorious becomes routine in our hearts. That is why it is so important to return again and again to Scripture and to review the lives of men of faith, such as David, in order to give our faith fresh fuel and renewed strength.
The life of David is filled with moments of victory, joy, and worship, but also with seasons of deep pain, betrayal, and fear. Scripture does not hide these moments; instead, it presents them honestly so that we may learn from them. One of the most intense episodes in David’s life occurred when he was persecuted by his own son, Absalom. This was not merely a political conflict or a struggle for power; it was a deeply personal wound. A son whom David loved rose against him, forcing him to flee for his life.
It is in this dark and painful context that David writes the third Psalm. According to the historical account found in 2 Samuel 15:13–37, David is on the run, rejected by many, uncertain about the future, and surrounded by enemies. Humanly speaking, his situation appears hopeless. Yet instead of allowing despair to consume him, David turns to prayer. He lifts his voice to God in what can only be described as a fervent prayer, one that reveals both his vulnerability and his unshakable trust in the Lord.
This prayer is not polished or distant; it is raw and sincere. David does not deny the danger he faces, nor does he pretend that fear is absent. Instead, he brings everything before God. In doing so, he teaches us a crucial lesson: faith does not mean the absence of fear, but the decision to trust God in the midst of fear. David’s prayer in Psalm 3 has the power to fan the flame of faith in every believer who reads it attentively.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Psalm 3:3–6
These verses are filled with confidence in God’s character. David calls the Lord his shield, recognizing that his true protection does not come from armies, walls, or strategies, but from God Himself. He refers to God as his glory, acknowledging that even when his reputation and kingship are threatened, his true honor comes from the Lord. And he declares that God is the lifter of his head, the One who restores dignity and hope when circumstances press us down.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable statements in this psalm is found in verse 4: “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.” David does not say that God might hear him, nor that he hopes God will listen. He speaks with assurance. Even while fleeing, even while being betrayed, David is convinced that God hears his cry. This confidence does not come from circumstances, but from a deep, personal knowledge of God.
David’s trust is further demonstrated when he says that he was able to lie down and sleep. Sleep, in the middle of danger, is an act of faith. It is a declaration that God is in control even when we are unconscious. David rests not because the threat is gone, but because the Lord sustains him. This teaches us that peace is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God.
When you are facing trials, life’s difficulties, and moments when there seems to be no way out, what do you do? Where do you run? Is God truly your refuge, or merely a last option after all else fails? David shows us that the safest place to run is into the arms of God. Though persecuted by his own son and surrounded by enemies, David knew that trusting the Lord was not only the spiritual choice, but the only truly feasible one.
This psalm invites us to examine our own response to adversity. Do we cry out to the Lord with confidence, or do we allow fear and anxiety to dominate our hearts? David’s example encourages us to lift our voices in prayer, knowing that God hears His children. The same God who listened to David listens to us today.
Dear reader, our Lord cares for the birds of the air and knows each one of them (Matthew 6:26). Not a single sparrow falls to the ground outside of His will. How much more, then, does He care for us who are His children, redeemed and bought at a high price? If God is attentive to the smallest details of creation, we can be certain that He is attentive to our cries, our tears, and our struggles.
May the Lord be your strength on this day. May He be your shield when you feel attacked, your strong rock when everything around you shakes, and the One who lifts up your head when discouragement tries to overwhelm you. Cry out to Him with confidence, for He hears, He sustains, and He remains faithful to the end.