Your Darkest Hour

Today I was reading Psalm 3. Its one of the fourteen psalms that contain a hint in the title about what David was doing when he wrote it. Psalm 3 was written when he fled from his son Absalom. The psalm summarizes the heartbreak of a father, the humiliation of a deposed monarch, and the overthrow of a great military leader. Absalom is preparing to usurp the throne and this is David's darkest hour. You can feel the pain in the first two verses and the desperation in David's words. But then a dramatic change occurs.
In verse 3 David takes his eyes off of the problem and places them on the Problem Solver. He remembers all of the things that God has done...You are my shield, my glory, my hope...the lifter of my head. You can almost see David's faith rising!David began to stand his ground. And standing your ground is easier when you're grounded in faith.
Many times you and I get overwhelmed by circumstances. Often its hard to rest when so many things are spinning out of control. I like verse 5. It says, "then I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely, for the Lord was watching over me."
Today there is a promise of peace for you and I from the Prince of Peace. God in you is greater than the things that come against it. He IS your shield, you glory and your hope. So lift up your head! Your darkest hour is about to become bright as the noonday! Here is this beautiful psalm:
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies;
so many are against me.
2 So many are saying,
“God will never rescue him!”
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy mountain.
5 I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the Lord was watching over me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
who surround me on every side.
7 Arise, O Lord!
Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord.
May you bless your people.