“THE SOURCE OF DELIVERANCE”

>>>David is typically remembered as the guy who killed a giant and became a mighty king.

>>>David sins. The kingdom erupts into civil war-David vs.son Absalom. Many are joining Absalom.

>>>David has to flee Jerusalem.

READ: 2 SAMUEL 15:30-31

30 But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 31 And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

>>> David receives news of another force joining with Absalom. He briefly prays that the LORD disrupts their plans. He keeps walking.

>>>How is David feeling? This prayer was a “text” to God about military plans. It had nothing to do with how he feels about the situation.

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>>>Psalm 3 is my favorite psalm. It was written by David around the time he flees Jerusalem and gives more insight to how he is feeling.

READ: PSALM 3:1-2

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

>>>He is probably no longer walking but is still.

>>>This is a more emotional prayer-one of desperation.

>>>(v.1) Everywhere he looks, there is another enemy joining Absalom’s armies.

>>>(v.2) The enemies say that not even God can help him.

*Know of David’s sin?

*See themselves as that strong.

THE LIE OF HOPELESSNESS

>>>The number one attack of the world/Satan is to get you to believe the lie that God can never deliver His people.

>>>The goal is for you to focus on what is right in front of you-the struggles you are facing. Because when you look at your overwhelming situation, it is hopeless.

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READ: PSALM 3:3-7

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.

>>>(v.3) David acknowledges the reality of his situation and even the voices of his enemies. But this verse begins a tone not of despair but hope. In his prayer, he turns the attention back to God.

>>> How does David bring his focus back to God? He refers to God as his “shield about him”. God is his surrounding protector from the surrounding enemy.

*(v. 3) He calls God his glory-honor and abundance. God was everything to him (Psalm 23:1).

*God is Who lifts his head. He will exalt him. Victory comes from the LORD.

*(v.4) He cries out to the LORD for help, and He answered His prayer. He heard not just a mile away but all the way in Heaven. God heard him.

*(v.5) The LORD sustained him as he slept and allowed him to wake up the next day. He was the reason for his rest-the One on Whom to rest.

>>> When facing the lie of hopelessness, he tested the truth of God.

THE TESTING OF TRUTH

>>>The Bible never calls us to be ignorant of our circumstances.

>>>When you are doubting if God is Who He says He is, test Him. Find out the truth by turning to Him. God is everything to us, our shield, and our glory. We know this when He proves it to us.

*Hears our prayers and answers from Heaven; gives us rest; protects our rest; gives us life.

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READ: PSALM 3:6-8

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! Selah

>>>(v.6) Here he is at the prayer’s ending, David is confident in His God-so much so he is not afraid of his enemies.

>>>(v.7) He calls on the LORD for salvation, but the tone of this is one of victory. He sees God as someone who punches his enemies in the mouth and does the ultimate insult of slapping them in the face.

>>>(v.8) Finally, David declares that salvation (deliverance) does indeed belong to God, and He will always show His favor/blessing/peace on His people. He has assurance in God.

THE ASSURANCE IN GOD

>>>God wants us to walk confidently in Him. Turning to Him and watching Him work is what motivates us to keep going in life.

>>>Salvation belongs to our God.

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SALVATION BELONGS TO GOD.

>>>The only hope of deliverance in life is found in the One True God.

>>>Salvation in our temporary circumstances, however, is just a glimpse of God’s eternal salvation. This declaration of salvation is said in Heaven today as seen in Revelation 7:10.

>>>God doesn’t just deliver us on this earth from material situations, but gives salvation and victory over sin to all who call on the name of Jesus. We can walk in the protection and salvation of God forever.

>>>We should be shining Jesus and representing Him wherever we go.