Psalm 3 NLV, O Lord, how many are they who hate me! How many rise up against me!  Many are saying of me, “There is no help for him in God.”  But You, O Lord, are a covering around me, my shining-greatness, and the One Who lifts my head.  I was crying to the Lord with my voice. And He answered me from His holy mountain.  I lay down and slept, and I woke up again, for the Lord keeps me safe.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who stand all around against me.  Rise up, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For You have hit on the face all those who hate me, and you have broken the teeth of the sinful.  It is You Who saves, O Lord. May You bring happiness to Your people.

There is nothing like betrayal, but betrayal by ones own son, that is so heart wrenching. David penned this prayer after his son Absalom, took over his kingdom and sent David and his followers into exile. Can you imagine? It’s bad enough he had to leave, but it was his own flesh and blood that turned the hearts of the people away from him. Do you see what David did? He spoke with God. In all of his battles, in all of his troubles, his heart was trained to turn to God.

How is your heart trained? Do you spend more time complaining about the problem or do you just hand it off to the problem solver? David acknowledged his pain and sorrow, but he refused to stay there. He knew the Lord heard him and he knew that God would answer. His confidence had been tried and tested from the time he was a shepherd in the valley facing the lion and bear, to the time he chose the 5 smooth stones and killed Goliath.

David was anointed king of Israel when he was a boy, but he faced constant struggle and trials before he sat on the throne. You’d think he had proved himself when he took off the giants head, but God knew that great leaders are formed by the battles they face and win, not by learning to wield a sword. David had to develop his listening skills, and that only came from spending time alone with the Commander.

Do you know that God sees you as more than a conqueror? When he looks at you, he sees you through his son, Jesus, who is standing in front of you. You never face any battle alone. The key here is, do you know His voice? Do you follow his bizarre instructions? It doesn’t matter if it’s one thing or many, there is only one way to overcome and that’s through the blood of the Lamb and the Word of your testimony. What are you saying of your God? Are your prayers based on fear or are they based on faith.

Father, the enemy has turned me away from what you’ve given me, although this looks like a loss, you’ve turned my sorrow into joy, my mourning into dancing. No one could see the sorrow in my heart but you, for I put on my game face and my lips gave voice to the song in my heart. Just when it looked like it was over and the enemy had won, you delivered me into a place of rest and peace. Like David, I cried to you with my voice and you answered me from your throne. My heart is overjoyed! Victory belongs to the King! I give you all the glory and praise for everything you have done. it is all for you and your Kingdom, in the name of your Son, Jesus, AMEN!