Day 14

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The flight of David

Seventh-day Devotional

January 14—The Darkest Hour of the Day

Reflection

Genesis is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible! We learn what happens when we obey  and when we disobey God. Abraham and Sarah, Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers—their life teach us so much about the joys of obedience and the pain of disobedience. That’s why God included the stories of their lives in the Word—as an example for us to learn from their successes as well as their failures. But today, let’s take another seventh-day rest stop on our journey through the Bible. This day can also be used to catch up on any reading but we will also take this opportunity to refresh ourselves in Psalm 3.

In Our Dark Hour

How can we withstand our position in this world when we are in the minority? How about when the majority is growing which seems like the case in our society today? Psalm 3 is one of the fourteen psalms that contain a hint in the title regarding the historical situation that prompted David to write them. The superscription reads “A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom” (See 2 Samuel 15: 16-17). Those words summarize the heartbreak of a father, the humiliation of a dying monarch, and the overthrow of a great military leader. As David’s son Absalom seizes the throne, King David enters one of the darkest days of his life. But beginning with verse 3, David shifts his focus from his problem to his Problem Solver. He remembers that God is a shield to protect him, glory to adorn him, and a head lifter to encourage him (v. 3). God gives peace in the midst of distress (v. 5) and fearlessness in the face of opposition (v. 6). Truly, without God there is no victory with God every foe can be defeated. Sleeplessness in the face of mounting problems is a sure sign your focus is in the wrong place! It would do us good to write out the words of verse 5 and place them where we can see them last thing at night and the first thing in the morning. Remember our Problem Solver never sleeps!

Prayer

Lord, we confess that so many times we keep our eyes fixed on our problems rather than on you, our Problem Solver. It so often seems as though the struggles of our lives engross us like fire all around us, and there’s no way of escape. But you have promised to rescue us--those that believe in you. Help us claim the victory you’ve already won for us by turning over our cares and concerns to you. Then we will be so glad to sing the song of David, “What joys he gives to all his people”! Amen

King David in prayer, Pieter Fransz de Grebber (1600–1652)









© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2019

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