Let’s face it – 2020 has been a strange year.
But God was not surprised by all the events that have happened.

Would you join me in a four-week countdown to Thanksgiving?
When we stop for a moment, we realize we have much to be thankful for.

¹ O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
² many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.”  Selah
³ But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
⁴ I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill.  Selah
⁵ I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
⁶ I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.

(Psalm 3:1-6, English Standard Version)

Over the last two days, we have seen King David trust God as he lay down to sleep, and for guidance as he awakened in the morning. Today, we see David trusting God with whatever happens in the midst of the day.

But this was no ordinary day.

David wrote this psalm while he was fleeing from his own son Absalom, who tried to take over David’s kingdom (2 Samuel chapters 15-18). This was not the nearby kings jealously wanting to conquer Israel – this was worst kind of enemy – betrayal by his own flesh and blood, his son.

And yet, David did not focus on his son, or feel sorry for himself, or seek vengeance – he sought the Lord and focused on God alone for deliverance. And David’s deliverance was not only himself, but for his country.

Absalom may have turned the hearts of the people against his father, but David kept his heart focused on the Lord as he faced each day. David was not paralyzed by fear; instead, he walked in quiet confidence in God. David was not in denial of the serious reality of his situation – he made a choice to trust God for his safety and for the outcome of the events of the day.

In our day, we each face many enemies as well. Some may face betrayal by a family member; most of us, not such dire circumstances. For many this year, the enemy may be unseen – viral or biological in nature, with serious health consequences. Others may face the enemy of isolation due to the current pandemic, or because of political or ideological beliefs.

Like David, God invites us to call out to Him for our help and encouragement. When we do, He gives us rest, peace, quiet resolve and strength to face whatever enemies are before us.

Here is another rendition of this psalm that may speak to your heart today:

^1-2 God! Look! Enemies past counting!
Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,
Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery:
“Hah! No help for him from God!”
^3-4 But you, God, shield me on all sides;
You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
With all my might I shout up to God,
His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
^5-6 I stretch myself out. I sleep.
Then I’m up again—rested, tall and steady,
Fearless before the enemy mobs
Coming at me from all sides.

(Psalm 3:1-6, The Message Bible)

Lord, every day we face so many enemies that seek to separate us from You and from each other, to isolate us and make us feel like we are all on our own.

Thank You, Lord, for David’s example – that we can call out to You in our troubles, and You hear us and answer us and shower us with Your love.

Lord, help me to walk in faith, not in fear, as I go through the day. Help me to keep my eyes trained on You throughout the day, pausing to refocus on You, and not the enemies around me.

Amen.


Learning to trust God with my days as well as my nights,
~kevin