Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me. Many there are who say of my soul, "There is no help for him in God." Selah. But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. Psalms 3:1-3 WEB.

David wrote these words while on the run from his son Absalom who plotted to kill David and become king in his place. Almost everyone David knew turned against him and sided with Absalom. David's life fell apart overnight, and his family sought to kill him. David had to leave town and hide, even though he was the rightful king of Israel (2 Samuel 15:14).

Sadly, David had earned this, for his actions had brought it on him. David had previously had an affair with a beautiful woman named Bathsheba while her husband was away in the army. She became pregnant. So, David had her husband Uriah killed in battle to cover it up. Then he married Bathsheba. It looked like a pious act. The generous king took in a poor pregnant widow whose husband had been killed in battle, but God knew the truth.

The Lord sent the prophet Nathan to confront David about it in 2 Samuel 12:11: "This is what Yahweh says: "Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did this secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun." Three chapters later, it all happened. David was on the run, and someone else was lying with his wives on a rooftop in front of everyone (2 Samuel 16:22).

It was during this time that David wrote Psalms 3. David and his band of followers were on the run, but they continued to praise God and even wrote songs about it. David wrote that God was a shield about him to protect him from harm, even though there were thousands of people chasing him at the time. The Lord was his glory (splendor, honor, and wealth), and the Lord lifted (exalted) his head. Though David had earned this hardship, God was still with him, and He did protect him from harm.

David recognized that his promotion didn't come from a man, nor would his demotion come from a man. David trusted that the Lord would resolve it, and He did. While pursuing David, Absalom got his head caught in the fork of a tree and came to a quick ending (2 Samuel 18:9). God used a simple unmoving tree to bring down the prideful Absalom.

Even if you have rightfully earned what you are going through, continue your relationship with God. Learn the attitude of David. Sing praises to His name, and it will invite His presence into your situation, especially when times are bad. Give the problems to God, and know He will make things right. He will protect you through it and exalt you in due time. Our promotion comes from the Lord, and no one can take it away unless He allows it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I put my trust in You today. My life is in Your hands, and You are in control of what happens to me. No one has the power to snatch me from Your hand. Please fulfill Your will in my life. Guide me, teach me, speak to me, and through me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Today is Thankful Thursday at the Ministry Events group! This event gives us an opportunity encourage each other by posting thoughts, moments, and prayers of gratitude for Him, His creation and all that He does in our lives. All our welcome! To join, just click on the group name and then the join link on the page that will follow. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.