THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH PSALM 3 INTRODUCTION This psalm intermingles both lament and confidence. In its sweeping scope, it becomes a pattern for praise, peace, and prayer amidst pressure. 1 John MacArthur 1A. THE BELIEVER’S TRIAL (3:1-2) 1B. The sheer multitude of his trials. (3:1a) Absalom raised a great army against David. (2 Samuel 17:1) Sometimes just the sheer number of trials can be overwhelming! (2 Corinthians 11:24-28) 2B. The personal nature of his trials. (3:1b) For David, this attack was personal. (2 Samuel 15:12-13) Trails, by their very nature, are very personal. (1 Peter 4:12-13) 3B. The devastating effect of his trials. (3:2) David’s enemies wanted him to believe God had deserted him. (2 Samuel 16:7-8) Have you ever felt like God has abandoned you? (Hebrews 13:5-6) 2A. THE BELIEVER’S REFUGE (3:3-4) 1B. The Lord is our protector. (3:3a) He is a sure shield. (Psalm 46:1) He is a surrounding shield. (Psalm 5:12; 32:7) “The sovereignty of God is all-encompassing and all-pervasive. He holds absolute sway over this world. Everything happens because God wills it to happen.”2 John Piper 1 John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Ps 3:1–8. 2 John Piper, The Coronavirus and Christ (Wheaton, IL., Crossway, 2020), Loc. 309. FBP 05/01/20 #3 The Lyrics of Life 2B. The Lord is our glory. (3:3b) For David, his identity (glory) was found in God not in his throne. For the believer, our identity is found in Christ. Ø When God saved us, He changed us. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Ø We were given a new nature and a new identity. (Galatians 2:20) 3B. The Lord is our joy. (3:3c) When we are downcast, He lifts our heads and causes us to see Him, our hope and our joy. (Psalm 30:4-5) In the midst of our sorrows and trials, Jesus lifts our head and gives joy in the midst of ashes. (Isaiah 61:3) 4B. The Lord is our deliverer. (3:4) The Lord hears our prayers. (Psalm 34:6; 1 Peter 3:12) The Lord answers our prayers. (1 John 5:14-15) The Lord delivers His people. (Psalm 34:19) 3A. THE BELIEVER’S TRIUMPH (3:5-8) 1B. The peace of God (3:5-6; 4:8; Isaiah 26:3) 2B. The power of God (3:7) It is saving power – Arise, O Lord! Save me…(Psalm 6:4) It is sovereign power – Strike all of my enemies…(Isaiah 54:17) 3B. The praise of God (3:8) For His grace – Salvation belongs to the Lord. (Psalm 28:8; Isaiah 43:11; Romans 9:16) For His goodness – Your blessing be upon Your people. (Psalm 29:11) FBP 05/01/20 #3 The Lyrics of Life .