“The storm may be around you, but it doesn’t have to be in you.”

– Kris Vallotton –

This Psalm shows us how David won his battles first in his mind. His own son conspired to build a case against him. He was distressed by the slanderous lies and whispers of his enemy. And yet, he has found peace in the pain; quietness in the storm.

I heard a great teaching this week from the Passion Translation team, explaining David’s process of unburdening. David does not stuff his feelings. He doesn’t ignore his feelings. This is what we can learn from David in this Psalm:

1. Express your feelings to God. “This is what the enemy is saying about me. These are the accusation from my Enemy….” 
2. To win the battle in your own mind, talk to yourself. “But this is what I truly know… this is who the Lord is… This is what I know about my Father…” Absorb yourself in the Glory of God, not your pain.
3. Simply ask. Make your petitions to God in Faith, not fear.

Psalm 3 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Covered by the Glory

3 King David’s song when he was forced to flee from Absalom, his own son

The Humbling of a King

¹ Lord, I have so many enemies, so many who are against me.
² Listen to how they whisper their slander against me, saying:
    “Look! He’s hopeless! Even God can’t save him from this!”

Pause in his presence

The Help of God

³ But in the depths of my heart I truly know
    that you, Yahweh, have become my Shield;
    You take me and surround me with yourself.
    Your glory covers me continually.
    You lift high my head when I bow low in shame.
⁴ I have cried out to you, Yahweh, from your holy presence.
    You send me a Father’s help.

Pause in his presence

The Song of Safety

⁵ So now I’ll lie down and sleep like a baby—
    then I’ll awake in safety, for you surround me with your glory.
⁶ Even though dark powers prowl around me,
    I won’t be afraid.

The Secret of Strength

⁷ I simply cry out to you:
“Rise up and help me, Lord! Come and save me!”
    And you will slap them in the face,
    breaking the power of their words to harm me.
⁸ My true hero comes to my rescue,
    for the Lord alone is my Savior.
    What a feast of favor and bliss he gives his people!

Pause in his presence