Supplication through the Scriptures—Psalm 3

A Shield of Refuge in the Midst of Conflict
Psalm 3 was written by David when he was fleeing from his son, Absalom. The tragic story of Absalom’s rebellion against his own father and king, which culminates in Absalom’s death, takes place in 2 Samuel 15-18. It is a story fraught with conflict, betrayal, grievous sin, and sorrow. 
To some degree we can all identify as we all have conflict in our lives. It can be especially painful when it is conflict within the family. Today we will pray through Psalm 3 bringing to the Lord the relationships in our lives where conflict exists and also giving Him our internal conflicts.

James 4:1 tells us that our quarrels and conflicts arise because of our own selfish desires at war within us. Take a few minutes to ask the Lord to search your own heart and reveal to you if there is sin that you need to confess to Him that has contributed to the conflict. 

Cry to God

3:1-2 “O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, "There is no salvation for him in God." Selah

 There are many foes we face, some within and some without. Cry out to the Lord for:
▪️ deliverance from your own sinful desires. 
▪️ deliverance from Satan’s devices, knowing that he is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Pray for strength to resist him and stand firm in the faith. 
▪️ strength to fight against the world’s temptation, and to take the “way of escape” when the Lord provides it. 
▪️ protection from those who would seek you harm (side note: pray for the persecuted church).
▪️ reconciliation with the person who is in conflict with you. 
▪️ faith to believe that God is for you and will provide His deliverance in His timing. 

Confidence in God

3:3-4 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah 

Confidently draw near to the Lord and ask that He be your shield of refuge in the conflicts you’ve already recognized. Pray He would:
▪️ surround you as with a shield from all harm, physical or otherwise. 
▪️help you to glory in your affliction knowing it produces endurance, character, and hope. 
▪️be the lifter of your head. He would exalt you as you humble yourself under His mighty hand.
▪️answer you quickly from His holy hill and heal the wounds and hurts that have come from the conflicts in your life. Confess any bitterness you have toward another person.

Security From God

3:5-6 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 
Pursue God’s peace in your difficult circumstances by praying:
▪️The Lord of peace would grant you peace in the circumstances you face. 
▪️You would be able to sleep and not be anxious about the conflict in your life. What situation is causing anxiety?
▪️You would trust the Lord to sustain, support, and uphold you during this suffering. Where do you need the Lord’s sustaining power?
▪️You would not be afraid but would be strong and courageous because the Lord is with you. 
▪️You would walk by faith not by sight. 

God, my Deliverer

3:7-8 Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah”
‭‭Pray:
▪️The Lord would rise up and deliver you from contention and conflict and set you in a place of safety. 
▪️You would leave vengeance to the Lord for the wrongs you have suffered and would instead overcome evil with good. 
▪️God’s blessing and good favor would be upon you and His countenance would shine upon you. 

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

“Oh! what a shield is God for his people! He wards off the fiery darts of Satan from beneath, and the storms of trials from above, while, at the same instant, he speaks peace to the tempest within the breast.”
— Charles Spurgeon

All Scripture taken from the ESV
Photo credit Erik Mclean

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