Context Summary Psalm 3:1–6 discloses
It speaks of the total domination and defeat of the enemy. David looked for protection in this psalm, but more than protection – he looked for victory. It wasn't enough for David to survive the threat to the kingdom. He had to be victorious over the threat, and he would be with the blessing of God.
“Lean not on your own understanding” means do not trust yourself (or others) with the meaning of Scripture, but trust God only and with all your heart.
When you trust in God with all your heart, it means that you leave no room for doubt. You believe what He says because you know He is always right and will never deceive you. God sees the bigger picture and therefore knows what lies ahead of you and what you don't see.
“Strength” refers to His majestic presence above the Mercy Seat (as in the Tabernacle and Temple). When Israel was guilty of sin, the Bible says God let the Philistines take the Ark, “his strength,” into their land (see 1 Samuel chapter 4). We give to the LORD “glory and strength” in that we worship Him.
How He imparts his strength to us is as follows: He changes our thinking. He gives us the strength “to comprehend” His greatness, His power, His promises, His love. Gods nature and character needs to be freshly revealed to us so that we can comprehend.
To me, it means coming before Jesus in awe and reverence, despite of what people may think of you. It's being willing to say, “I was wrong”. It's the positioning of your heart to be open to His Word. It's taking the focus off of yourself and focusing on what really matters – God!
“The Lord will fight for you…” The Bible gives us the clear message that God not only goes to battle on our behalf, but He conquers the enemy. Sometimes He performs visible miracles, like parting the Red Sea before the Hebrews, then bringing the water down to swallow up the Egyptian army.
Devotional portion: Psalm 3:5-6
“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.” As God was David's shield, he had a sound sleep- a blessing that God gives. None can have a good sleep when they are under pressure.
All Things Are Possible With God
He knows the desires of your heart. If you trust in him with the things that you want most, he will take care of it. He knows what is best for your life. If you feel like your goals are hard to achieve or even impossible, think again.
You are my glory, dear Lord, the one who lifts up my head from shame. You are my reason for living, the one who gives my life meaning. So I cry out to you now, counting on the fact that you will answer me. Because I know you are there for me, I don't have to be kept awake with worry.
Psalms helps us express ourselves to the Lord. The book is filled with words to pray and songs to sing. It reminds us we can lament and express our grief to God. The psalms remind us to remember the God who is the beginning and end of all things, to rest in His sovereignty, and to have joy in all circumstances.
Psalm 3:5 Teaches Us that God Sustains Us
You woke up this morning because God sustained you. Let that transform your perspective on today and every day. This morning I woke up. You woke up today for one reason: the Lord sustained you. You would not have woken up if the Lord had not sustained you.
But God will be faithful to change our perspective as we come to him in prayer. Praying for those who have hurt us is not only obedience to God's Word, but also opportunity for him to work in our hearts and within other people. He will help us move beyond our sinful attitudes about others and toward his love for them.
When you obey Jesus and respond to your enemies with love, prayer, forgiveness and blessing, you take yourself out of satan's line of fire and make room for God to handle justice as only He can. You don't have to worry about your enemies. God says He will handle them on your behalf.
Colossians 3:8 says “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” When you deal with anger God's way, you feel it, vent it in a safe way (possibly complaining to an innocent third party) where no one is harmed, and then release it.
According to this vision, all people will be resurrected and, at the Final Judgment, will be assigned to one of three degrees of glory, called the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms.