“Having An Upward Outlook When You’re Down Under”
Text: Psalm 3:1-4
All of us face adversity. No one escapes the fierce tides of failure, the attacks of adversity, nor the discouragement that comes from debilitating dilemmas. All of us face trials, and find ourselves pressed underneath the weight of the severity of our situations. All of us have found ourselves in what seems to be hopeless situations. That’s where we find David in this Psalm.
I. “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.”
1. It was a situation of hopeless ADVERSITY.
“Lord, how many are my foes…” “Foes” is the word “SAR” which means “narrow, confining, to bind up, to tie.” It is also used to describe a strong emotional feeling experienced by one who is pressed externally by enemies, or internally by wrong decisions or passions.
2. It was a situation of hopeless ABANDONMENT.
“Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him from God.’” Many people were continuously telling David everything God was not going to do for him. God would not help, save, nor deliver.
II. But David would not let his outlook be determined by what he was down under. David let his outlook be determined by his up-look. We must do the same.
III. As David looked up, he made three bold declarations of hope.
“But you, O Lord, shield me, protecting me from all sides. You are my glory and the lifter of my head, granting me a personal touch. I cried unto the Lord (Yahweh), whom I know personally, with my voice, knowing He perceived my trouble, and He heard me in His place of Holiness. Selah.” (paraphrase of Psalm 3:3-4)
1. He declared the hope of God’s PROTECTION.
2. He declared the hope of God’s PERSONAL TOUCH.
3. He declared the hope of God’s PERCEPTION
