Sleeping Soundly in a Den of Demons

Of all the men in the Bible, save Jesus himself, I have often aspired to be like David.  Unlike other men, even in his own generation, David sought God with all of his heart, and displayed a level dedication unmatched by many others. I want to be like that.  As a result, I’ve been reading the Psalms a lot lately, and something in Psalm 3 really made an impression on me.

In Psalm 3, David is being pursued by Absalom’s forces.  His rebellious son forced him out of Jerusalem and he, the rightful King, was on the run.  Many of his people abandoned him.  That’s a trying time for any man, no matter how strong.  As a result, at the beginning of the psalm, he feels desperate and helpless.  Yet he comes to an impressive and encouraging resolution: “lay down and slept; I woke again, for Yahweh sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.” (verses 5-6). 

How could he do that?  How could he go from desperation and despair to laying down and sleeping?  I have lost sleep over many things.  Some of them were important, some of them were not.  None of them, however, have been anywhere close to what David was feeling.  I have never had to fear for my life.  I have certainly never experienced such a heart-wrenching betrayal from a close family member.  So how could David be so relieved that he could go to sleep, and not care that his enemies had him surrounded? 

The answer is logically simple but emotionally profound.  David trusted God.  He prayed to God and He knew that God was reliable.  He knew he didn’t have anything to worry about, and you know what?  He was right.  Absalom met his end and David’s kingdom was restored to him. 

I worry about a lot of stuff.  Some of it is important, some of it is not as important.  There are times that I feel surrounded and desperate like David.  In times like that, there’s only one place to turn: to God.  Unfortunately, we often don’t turn to God first.  We turn to friends, to mentors, to self-help books, and even therapists before we turn to God.  Even if we do eventually turn to God, it is usually as an afterthought.  If anyone should be an afterthought, other people should be the afterthought, not God. 

David ends with this thought in verse 8: “Salvation belongs to Yahweh; your blessing be on your people!”  Salvation belongs to Yahweh in many senses.  Certainly in the salvation of our souls, but let’s not forget the power of our God.  This is our Father’s world, and let us not restrict His power in our minds.  Remember the power that He has and let that allow us to go to Him for salvation from our troubles.  Let that allow us to pray to Him with specific and powerful requests.  It worked for David.  We serve the same God as David.  Let’s start praying like we do.

"It is because Christians have ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective." - C.S. Lewis