Day 3 – You oh Lord are a Shield about Me

Psalm 3:3

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,

My glory and the One who lifts up my head. NKJV

King David wrote this psalm during a time of deep despair.  Word had come to David that Absalom his own son was plotting to take over his kingdom.  Absalom coveted the position and power his father had and wanted it for himself so he sowed seeds of discord and division among the people of Israel to turn them against their king and then plotted to kill him. 

King David and his entire household and those who stayed faithful to him immediately fled for their lives.  The pure notion that David’s own son would want to kill him broke his heart and he was deeply grieved.  He was so distraught that he covered his head while he walked, cried and sang to the Lord.  The covering of their heads is symbolic of mourning, grief and shame. 

What a powerful testimony he gave in the midst of his anguish - he continued to trust God.  He turned his fears, his hurt and his pain over to the Lord and laid it bare before God by faith believing that He was his shield, his glory and the lifter of His head.  God was indeed faithful to King David and answered his cries; both he and his household were protected from Absalom and his army and they were able to return home victorious.   

Regardless of his circumstances King David knew that God was with him and would protect him. It was times like these that gave God cause to bear witness that David truly was a man after His own heart. 

As children of God and heirs to His throne we too can turn to God as our shield, our glory and the lifter of our head.  It’s easy to praise God when everything is good but when we can praise God when things are not so good and put our trust in Him as our shield and glory; He is most glorified in us because we are acknowledging His name.        

Psalm 91:14-16

"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."  NKJV

Filoiann Wiedenhoff