"But You..."

A complaining spirit is how we sometimes approach a situation.

Do we often get take a spirit of complaint when obstacles rise?

Do we look around for a purpose of a situation?

Do we ponder what God might intend in the moment?

One of the greatest struggles we have as followers of Christ is trusting the capacity of God to deal with our situation.

The sub-title of our passage is “A Psalm of David, When He Fled From Absolom His Son”

Do you remember the story?

The story of Absalom and this horrible section of David’s life spans from 2 Samuel chapter 13-18.

Amnon, David’s son, had a half sister named Tamar (she was the full sister of Absalom).

Amnon was infatuated with his sister to the point he was “tormented” and made himself “ill because of his sister Tamar.”

He was exhorted by his “friend” Jonadab to formulate a plan as follows:

Amnon faked being sick & waited for his father to come and check on him.

When David came to him Amnon would request that Tamar be exhorted to come and bake bread and feed him.

David sent Tamar and she made the food, but he would not eat unless she came to his bedside to feed him.

When Tamar came to feed him, Absalom attacked her and over powered her.

Once he finished with her he despised her.

2 Samuel 13:15 ESV

15 Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up! Go!”

So Amnon had his sister cast out by his servant.

Then she tore her clothes and put her hand upon her head weeping as she went.

Absalom her brother took her in and he despised Amnon for the treachery and abuse.

David does nothing to Amnon and Absalom plots.

He has his father’s sons come up with him to the sheepshearers at Ball-hazor. He invited the king and all his sons.

Only David did not go and Amnon did not want to go.

After coercing his father, Absalom gets the permission for Amnon to go.

When Amnon was drunk, Absalom had his servants kill his brother.

He then seeks to take the entire kingdom.

Psalm 3:3 ESV

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

David had reached a point in verse 1 where he numbered his foes.

He knew the multitude had risen against him and he must take leave.

He knew many would challenge the presence of God with him.

There is a reason for the struggle.

Psalm 3:1–2 ESV

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

2 Samuel 15:1–6 ESV

1 After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” 3 Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.” 4 Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” 5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

At times there is a multitude of struggle.

2 Samuel 15:7–12 ESV

7 And at the end of four years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the Lord, in Hebron. 8 For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the Lord.’ ” 9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron!’ ” 11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing. 12 And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.

But God!

Psalm 3:3–4 ESV

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

1. He Protects & Calms

Psalm 3:5–6 ESV

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.

2. He Delivers

Psalm 3:7 ESV

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.

3. He Provides

Psalm 3:8 ESV

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah

Walking Away, But In...

When struggles arise

When struggles mount

When others wonder or wander

Hold on to the “But You!”

Psalm 3:3 (ESV)

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.