Wednesday 8th April
Read Psalm 3:1-2
1 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”
David addresses God as Yahweh (the Lord), God’s personal, covenant name (Exod. 3:14). For David to address God as Yahweh in this way it has the same connotation as New Testament believers addressing God as, “Abba, Father”. It is an intimate prayer between himself and a God who he knows is trustworthy and always close by. My immediate thought goes to Psalm 23 – the Lord is my shepherd – during that part of his life when things seemed simpler David had plenty of time to speak with his God and to learn to pray. Now he turns to God to ask what’s going on and express his distress. The impact of Absalom’s insurrection is deep, hitting his heart/soul. It is worth reflecting on the fact that even though God knows all the details, David tells Him what’s going on. In his prayer David is not informing God but rather laying his burden on the Lord, David is acknowledging to God that he is not able in himself to handle this overwhelming situation. He is also pointing out that those who are in rebellion are denying that God will be with him, that the Lord will deliver. I wonder if we ever find ourselves in situations where we are overwhelmed with burdens or opposition and the general advice is spoken or thought, look after yourself you can’t trust God to do it. What do you do?
Geoff Hinch
