The Bible is full of realities that we face in everyday life. The people in the Bible faced challenges but trusted God in the midst of them.

This sermon is to prepare us for the challenges we face.

In times of challenges, we find a hiding place; bank accounts, jobs, social media, etc. When we try to hide in the things of the world, we are unable to truly find peace.

“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God is our hiding place. To move forward in the presence of God, we need to hide ourselves in His presence. He preserves us and gives songs of deliverance.

“Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah 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.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭3:1-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

David appears to be complaining. He wrote this psalm when he was under intense attack from his own son who was trying to kill and usurp him as King.

David who was strong in previous battles was weak against his own son.

We can be so good in one thing but lack victory in another area.

David couldn’t sleep. We might be like him, weeping and crying out and asking where God is.

It’s OK to cry, whether as a man or woman. We don’t have to be shy to cry out to God. He will come through for us.

We can go anytime to our hiding place in Him. David was lamenting in the presence of God.

Complain expresses our dissatisfaction and anger with God. David lamenting was an expression of sadness and hurt to God
Complaining curses and breeds a spirit of anger to God.

God will hold us when we cry out and comfort us.

Where did David write this psalm? He was writing this psalm on the Mount of Olives; the presence of God. David went to the place of hope, joy, breakthrough, deliverance etc

This connects to Psalm 121 and the hill, the presence of God.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

What did David do in his time of trouble?

He hid and lamented Himself in the presence of God (Matthew 5:4, 1 Peter 5:10, John 16:33, Matthew 11: 28-30)

From a place of lament, he went to a place of faith. The word ‘Selah’ means take a moment and ponder, pause. In this place, David began to reflect on the person of Jesus.

What do we reflect on when we face challenges?

“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Look to God has your shield. David lamented but still trusted in God. The Lord Himself will fight for you (Psalm 62:6)

David saw God as his glory, his success. God was his deliverance. (Proverbs 21:31)

David saw God as the lifter of his head. Even with his defeat and head hung down in lament, he was confident God would life his head in victory. (Romans 10:11)

“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

David overcame and the plan of his son did not prosper. It will be the same with us and every plan of the enemy will not prevail against us.