The Source of Deliverance

>>>Life gets overwhelming-obligations, people, tension, circumstances, etc. that can be draining-even seem hopeless.

>>>Psalms is an inspired book. God inspired David to write about the honest feelings/trials of life, yet always landing on the LORD.

>>>This is my favorite psalm.

Psalm 3 A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah But You, Lord, are a shield around me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying out to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, Lord; save me, my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah

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>>>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 (important for later).

>>>David has to flee Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 15:30–31 And David was going up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, and his head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his own head, and they were going up, weeping as they went. Now someone informed David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “Lord, please make the advice of Ahithophel foolish.”

>>> 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? He is in mourning (weeping/covered head/ barefoot).

>>>His prayer is not emotional but brief-“text” to God as he kept walking.

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>>>Psalm 3 was written when David was fleeing Jerusalem. It gives a true picture of how David felt.

>>>He is probably no longer walking but in a state of being still-“laying it all out”.

Psalm 3:1–2 Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising upagainst me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

>>>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-no salvation/ deliverance.

*Know of David’s sin?

*See themselves as that strong.

THE LIE OF HOPELESSNESS

>>>When facing the trials/attacks of the world/Satan, the lie gets told that not even God can help us.

*When we look at the battle we are facing, it seems hopeless-not even God can get us out.

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Psalm 3:3–5 But You, Lord, are a shield around me, My glory, and the

One who lifts my head. I was crying out to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

>>>(v.3) David acknowledged the reality of his life, but now turns from despair to hope.

>>> He refers to God as his “shield around him”. God is his surrounding Protector from the surrounding enemy.

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

>>>God is Who lifts his head-giving encouragement/favor.

>>>(v.4) He cries out to the LORD for help, and the LORD heard and answered-not a mile away but from Heaven! (Illust. Ps. 119 series-David cries to God at midnight).

>>>(v.5) The LORD sustained him as he slept and allowed him to wake up the next day.

*God was the reason for his rest-the One on Whom to rest.

*God watched over David/protection.

>>> When facing the lie of hopelessness, David reminded himself of the truth of God.

THE REMINDER OF TRUTH

>>>The Bible never calls us to be ignorant of our circumstances but to turn to God in them.

*Our struggles cause us to see if the truth really is true-our lives versus what the Bible says.

>>>Truth is found in remembering God’s Word and turning to Him. When we come to Him, He answers from Heaven!

*God is not opposed to proving Himself to His people.

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Psalm 3:6–8 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, Lord; save me, my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah

>>>(v.6) Here at the prayer’s ending, David is confident in His God-no longer afraid of his enemies.

>>>(v.7) He calls on the LORD for salvation, but the tone of this is one of victory and renewed confidence.

>>>He says God has punched his enemies in the mouth and slapped them in the face. He has been emboldened by His God and how He has stepped in.

*(Illust.) Dogs coming to the yard messing w/Jasmine. She was scared.

*Dad went out-dogs ran/Jasmine chased after them.

*Salvation/victory/confidence is seen in God’s people when God shows up.

>>>(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 keeps us 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.

Revelation 7:10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

>>>God can deliver us from trials on earth, but He gives even greater salvation and victory over sin to all who call on the name of Jesus. We forever walk in the protection and salvation of God.

>>>God always has the final word, and His people will be the last ones standing w/Him in victory over everything this world throws at us.