Rest on the Run

How are you to rest when you are on the run? Our Psalm for this Sunday, Psalm 3, tells us that it was written by King David while he was on the run from the rebellion of his son Absalom. Yet in this Psalm where David is on the run, we also read in verse 5, “I lay down and slept…” If you read the history of this rebellion you will see that Absalom conspired against his father, gathered key supporters, and then without warning proclaimed himself king. David had to flee immediately to avoid being killed. While he is fleeing a man comes out and hurls dirt, rocks, and insults at David, essentially saying, “David you deserve all this evil that is coming upon you.”

I don’t believe that I would have been able to sleep in such a situation. Everything that David held dear was being taken from him. His family, his throne, even his life. Yet, again we are reminded that David slept while on the run. But how? What we will see in Psalm 3is that if we too would find rest in the midst of life’s hardships, we must trust the Lord as a shield to protect us, as a sustainer to preserve us, and as an avenger to bring justice to all those who have wronged us. 

1. To Rest on the Run, You Must Trust the Lord as Your Shield (vv. 3-4)

2. To Rest on the Run, You Must Trust the Lord as Your Sustainer (vv. 5-6)

3. To Rest on the Run, You Must Trust the Lord as Your Avenger (vv. 7-8a)