Psalm 3: Trust God in the Morning
"I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me."
These eight verses are given by the inspiration of God with the idea that the best way to start the day is to trust God. As simple as that sounds, it is all too easy to find yourself in the middle of the day before you even think about God. A good practice is to pray every morning as soon as you turn off the alarm: "I thank thee for sparing me through the night." This will help you face anything the day has in store with the confidence that God will sustain your soul (verse 5).
There are four parts to this Psalm (possibly written when David fled from his own murderous son Absalom, whose name ironically means "father of peace"!).
In the first two verses, David recognizes that his enemy speaks against him and God: "There is no help for him in God." David’s life was full of proof that there is always more than enough help from God for the faithful, even if the faithful is facing the challenge of the day alone (such as when David faced Goliath).
Lord, how they have increased who
trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
Many are they who say of me,
"No help for him in God!"
Selah
In the next two verses, he speaks to God in confidence. God does so very much for him. He is his shield, He is his glory, He lifts up his head, and He hears from His holy hill. Note that such a prayer does not have to be lengthy in order to be sufficient to start the day well. Note that his prayer is not a list of requests or problems (although such prayers are important, too). This prayer is a prayer of confidence in JEHOVAH! Let me be humble enough to ask myself if my confidence is in Jehovah, too! Do I really believe that He will be all of this for me—or do I rest my confidence in someone or something else?
In the next two verses, he claims that God
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill.
Selah
provides for him at the beginning of the day—after sustaining him through the night, and before taking him through the day.
What a great blessing it is to know God so well that you can lie down, sleep, wake up, and face anything with such trusting confidence!
Do you know Him? Do you know how to know Him? I John 2:3-6 teaches that knowing Him is accomplished ONLY by keeping His commandments. This begins with obeying the gospel (see Mark 4:24; Acts 16:31; 3:19; 8:37; 22:16). Why not obey Him, be added to His Son’s church (Acts 2:47), and develop this kind of attitude:
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
The last two verses are a firm statement of complete dependence upon God. He knows that he needs to be rescued from his present distress, and he has no doubt about the saving power in Jehovah for himself and for the people. "Salvation" applies to rescue, deliverance, and salvation from any number of things in the Old Testament. We see it in the name "Joshua" as well as the New Testament name "Jesus." When Jacob called his sons together just before his death, he said this of his son Dan, "I have waited for your salvation, O Lord" (Genesis 49:18). When Jonah was concluding his prayer in the great fish that God had prepared, he said, "Salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:9). Let us depend upon the Lord for rescue, deliverance, and salvation in all things. He is able to deliver from the daily fears and temptations; and from the mire of sin and eternity of
Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on
the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is upon Your people.
Selah
hell.
Study the life of David in order to see how God was with him during the times when David trusted God in the morning. Decide to do the same in your own life—every morning.
Skip Andrews — Skip Andrews
APPRECIATION TEA: The young people are planing an appreciation tea for the "seasoned" members at Duluth on Saturday, March 20. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer if you are able to attend. Please check this out and be part of this day if you can.
FASHION SHOW: The youth are going to have a "Through the Years" fashion show at the appreciation tea March 20. If you have any vintage clothing or accessories which you would be willing to lend for this day, please see Jennifer Davis, Tina Bullard, or Lynn Bradshaw.
SICK LIST: Donna Fields continues to undergo chemotherapy. Katherine Barclay’s mother who lives in Mississippi is hospitalized with heart problems. Katherine is there with her for a few days. Jewell Graves has been ill. Joyce Hatcher is not feeling well.
DIRECTORY UPDATE: Please update your directories with the following information.
Val Lowe - Phone 678 584-5104
Loretta Barbosa - 415 W. Shadburn Avenue
The Cutlers - 300 Bluesedge Lane,
PLANTATION SOUTH: Group 1 is in charge of the services at 1:30 Sunday at Plantation South.
SING: 5:30 Sunday.
CHILDREN’S CLASS: 5:30 Sunday.
VISITATION: Group 1 is asked to meet up front following evening services to pick up assignments.
LADIES’ CLASS: Ladies’ class will meet Tuesday at 10:00.
PANTRY ITEM: Pancake mix and syrup.
FOR THE RECORD:
Sunday Bible Class 115
Sunday AM Worship 133
Sunday PM Worship 104
Wednesday Bible Class 98
Contribution $4488
Budget $4600
Verse of the Week: "I have vain thoughts: but thy law do I love" (Psalm 119:113).
VOLUME 1:4 MARCH 7, 1999