Psalms 3
Text:
“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. 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. 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. 7 Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!"
Lexicon:
vs. 3 - shield - "protector, defense, scaly hide of a crocodile" (The scales of a crocodile are a natural armor. They are not detachable, but are connected to the animal - inseparable. The scales hold in moisture, allowing the reptile to live in dry places.)
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vs. 3 - lifter - "to become high, lifted high, to raise, to cause to grow, to elevate"
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vs. 3 - of my head - "as pertaining to rank, the highest or supreme, the head of summit of a mountain"
vs. 4 - answered - "to heed, pay attention, respond, to reply, to sing"
vs. 5 - slept - "to sleep, to grow old"
vs. 5 - sustained - "to lean upon or take hold of, a place to lay for rest, to be propped or supported"
vs. 6 - afraid - "to fear, dread, to tremble"
vs. 7 - arise - "to go forth, to stand fast, to raise up, to build up, to cause to stand"
vs. 7 - save - "to be open, wide or free; to be safe; to rescue; to preserve; to set free; bestowing salvation"
vs. 8 - salvation - "that which is delivered and safe, victory, prosperity, welfare"
vs. 8 - blessing - "benediction, invocation of good, extremely fortunate and happy, a bountiful soul"
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What does this reveal about God's character?
God is our protector. He is enjoined to us, as believers, to protect us from the attacks of the enemy and to enable us to live in the dry places of life that He asks us to go. He causes us to grow and be in a high spiritual place as a result of walking through these dry places. God is our sustainer. He watches over us as we sleep and live our lives, so there is nothing and no one to fear. God extends His Salvation to us that we may be free, victorious and prosperous.
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Questions:
1) Do I trust God to be my protector through the plenteous times and the dry times of life?
2) Do I rely on God to sustain me through the night and throughout my life? Or do I live in fear, constantly worrying about what-ifs?
3) Do I believe God can take my bad situations and use them to grow me up spiritually?
4) Have I received the Salvation of the Lord so that I may be free, victorious and prosperous and so that my soul may be bountiful? If not, please visit our Resources page.
5) If I have received God's salvation, am I daily walking in the blessing He has bestowed upon me?
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Prayer:
Father God, I trust You to be my protector and sustainer of life. You know everything that is going to happen in my life - both the good and the bad - and I trust You to use it for my good, to bring me to a high spiritual maturity. Father, I do get scared - a lot - of things I see or hear in the news, of creaks in the house, bumps in the night, loosing the people in my life that I deeply love. Fear is natural to our sinful human nature, but I am no longer bound by sin because You have set me free through Your Salvation. I choose today to walk in your protection and provision. I choose to not think of the what-ifs of life, but to dwell in the here and now and keep my eyes fixed on You, knowing that although I don't know what will happen next You do. Thank You for Your Salvation. Teach me to daily walk in Your many blessings and to be a light to those You put in my path. I love You and trust You. In Jesus' name, Amen!