The 3rd Psalm deals with a time in the life of David as he was fleeing from his son Absalom, who was trying to usurp the kingdom. The historical account of this is found in Second Samuel 15. This Psalm now flows from the pen of David against a background of this unthankful rebel­lion; one that was finally put down and saw David restored to the throne of Is­rael . In it we see David and three people.

David And His Enemies. He says several things about these enemies. First, they seemed to multiply against him - "how are they increased" (v. 1). It seems at first that the entire nation had deserted him, for Absalom had "stolen the hearts of the men of Israel " (2 Sam. 15:6). Then these enemies troubled him - as they increased they "trouble me" (v. 1). Next, they "rise up against me" (v. 1). How quickly the masses are persuaded! Jesus experienced the same thing, for soon after they praised him at his triumphant entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12f), they were clam­oring for his . More than that, they discouraged him, for he writes in verse two that they are telling him "there is no help" for him in God. The verbal discouragement is as bad as the physi­cal acts perpetrated against him! Fi­nally, they threatened him, for he says they "have set themselves against me round about" (v. 6). Jesus may have had his "ten thousand angels" to deliver him, and in spite of the "ten thousands of people" around him, David refused to be afraid!

David And His God. He says several things about God in this chapter. First, God "art a shield for me" (v. 3). Such a term would come naturally for David, since he was a man of war. And so among his enemies, he thinks of protec­tion, as from a shield, and that is God. More than that, God was his "glory." He could glory in God even while being hounded and persecuted by unthankful men. Next, God was the "lifter up of mine head" (v. 3). To "lift the head" denoted one being restored to a former po­sition. Joseph told Pharaoh's butler, "yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head, and restore thee into thy place" (Gen. 40: 13). David's reign was not over yet! At present, he was being persecuted by his own son - but he knows that with God's help, he will be able to hold his lead high again. More than that, he looked to God as his "sustainer" (v. 5). He knew that God would hold him up, even as he seemed doomed to fall. Fi­nally, God was his "savior," for his sal­vation was brought about by God (v. 7).

David  And Himself. We note now as a result of the foregoing, how David was affected. First, he could "lay down and sleep," no doubt a peaceful sleep (v. 5). He could do this, for he knew he was under the protective care of God. Then (ibid.), "I awakened," no doubt with thanksgiving that God had kept him through the night. Finally, even though his enemies were myriad, "I will not be afraid..." (v. 6).

David had a relationship with God that should be desired by every one of God's people. This Psalm is a wonderful account of David as he viewed his ene­mies, his God and himself. Every one of us must deal with these as well. Will we handle them as well as David? Is our trust and confidence in God what it ought to be? Are we fearful of our ene­mies, or do with know with God's help they can be overcome? When we come to grips with the notion that God is greater than all our opposition, we too can lay down in peaceful sleep, and wake with thanksgiving for every way in which he has blessed us. - Bill Moseley

 

 

 I once read somewhere (I don't remem­ber where) of an observation on "fault­finding" that has always impressed me. It was to the effect that fault finding is the easiest thing in the world. Why so? As we think about it, not much is required to be a "fault-finder." In the first place, no talent is required; you can be a fault­finder without an ounce of it. No self­-denial is required. You can be a fault­finder and yet be the most selfish and egotistical person in the world. It does not take any brains to be a fault-finder. The dumbest guy on the block can be a successful fault-finder it he wants to be. And certainly, no character is needed to be a fault-finder. None of these are prerequi­sites to get set up in the grumbling busi­ness.

Nobody is opposed to pointing out wrong in anything, providing the criticism is warranted and just and done in the right way. Often we find folks who grumble about the church and those in it. They spend more time "talking the church down" than they do in "talking it up" like they ought to be doing.

Do you really appreciate the efforts of another brother or sister in Christ? If so, tell them about it. Do they do something that you do not particularly appreciate? The best thing is to simply clam up about it unless it is a matter of sin. But where that thing is neither here nor there insofar as God is concerned, the interest of both parties would be best served by silence.

When will we learn the downside of be­ing a fault-finder, and see how much bet­ter it would be to build up. - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

It is amazing what excuses folks will use, either for not coming to the Lord or serv­ing him properly once they have come. It seems that some feel they are too busy to bother or to clever to come; they are too religious to repent or too worldly to want to, and yet others are to proud to pray.

Jesus once brought this matter sharply into focus when he told a story wherein three men came forth with their empty reasons for refusing a great invitation. Read the story in Luke 14:16-24. As clearly as an artist would, Jesus drew a picture of each of them and the conse­quences of their decision.

First, there was the business man, and his excuse was "my wealth!" You see, he had bought some land and had to go "check it out" (see v. 18). His material possessions were dearer to him that the great invitation that had been offered to him. We need to be careful of the same thing. possessions, per se, are not wrong - until they get in the way of more im­portant things.

Next there was the working man, and his excuse was "my work!" Sometimes folks get so caught in making a living they for­get how to make a life. We get so wrapped up in working for our bread that we forget about our blessings. Man ought to work, but he doesn't need to work at a job that that keeps him working for the Lord. 

Lastly, there was the family man, and his excuse was "my wife!" A person's fam­ily is a great blessing, but Jesus still said that he must come first (Matt. 10:35ff). One's husband or wife ought to be someone who can help one go to heaven, and not hinder that wonderful prospect.

"My Wealth - My Work - My Wife!" Are these our excuses? If so, remember the Lord did not accept them when they were given in our text - and he will not accept them now. When Queen Eliza­beth II was to be crowned, invitations for the coronation bore the statement: "All Excuses Ceasing." In other words ­"be there!" When royalty extends an invitation, it becomes a command. And our God has bidden all men come to him. Do not take his invitation lightly, for it will one day cease to be extended. - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

So said my lovely wife one recent Tues­day evening. Boy, that's a switch, since she's probably the busiest person I know. Anyhow, that conjured up in my mind an opportunity to do something nice for her. “Maybe I could take her out for a nice, leisurely breakfast,” I thought. Or per­haps we might get in the car and take a nice drive somewhere, and just sort of have some "down time" which we all need once in awhile. All sorts of good things danced before me, until she sud­denly made the decision.

“I know,” she said. "Tomorrow we will rearrange all the furniture in the living room." And that, my good friends, was evidently her idea of a good time - at a time when we had a little time "to do nothing!" Well, she guessed she did need to go to the mall for a kitchen gadget she needed. Had to go buy a "zester" - what­ever in the world that is. Anyhow, wound up in a store called "Bed, Bath and Be­yond," or some such thing that had more gizmos than 1 had ever dreamed of. Any­way we walked out with a "zester." Can hardly wait to watch her use it to see what it does.

So - when your wife announces, "1 don't have anything to do tomorrow," beware. You might wind up going somewhere you never planned on and looking at things you never knew existed before. By the way, when all was said and done, and before the day was over, I still wound up helping rearrange the living room furni­ture. - Bill Moseley