What do we do when enemies are encircling us? How do we call upon the Lord when we are in a time of trouble?

The third Psalm is written by David as he was fleeing from his son Absalom, who had taken over the kingdom of Israel. In it, he gives us an example of how to go before the throne of God when we may be at our loneliest.

He begins by acknowledging the number of enemies he has and noting that they have increased.

“O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me.” (Psalm 3:1 – NASB)

He then laments that his adversaries are taunting him by saying God will not deliver him from trouble.

“Many are saying of my soul, There is no deliverance for him in God.’” (Psalm 3:2 – NASB)

In verse three, David gives three ways in which God protects him and shows love to him.

“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head.” (Psalm 3:3 – NASB)

Next, David tells what he was like in distress and how the Lord answered him.

“I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and he answered me from his holy mountain.” (Psalm 3:4 – NASB)

Upon the Lord answering him, David gained confidence, the kind that is not of this world.

“I lay down and slept: I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.” (Psalm 3:5-6 – NASB)

He concludes this prayer by recounting what the Lord has done for him.

“Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For you have smitten all my enemies on the cheek. You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon your people!” (Psalm 3:7 – NASB)

There are several things we can take from this magnificent Psalm and apply to our lives.

1. Acknowledge our adversaries

There will be those in life who rise up against us, and the devil never stops prowling. We can’t live in denial about the presence of evil. Instead, we should bring our circumstances to the foot of the cross.

We also should not allow the taunting of God to have a hearing in our lives. It will come, and it must be resisted.

If we bring our trials to God, he will answer us from his holy mountain.

2. Understand the Lord’s protection and love

We should live life as if the Lord is a physical shield going with us wherever we go and protecting us.

We need to ensure that we find our glory in nothing but the Lord.

And when our heads are down, we need to allow the Great Comforter to lift them. He is able and willing.

3. Have confidence in the Lord

When you are anxious, sleep is nearly impossible. But after David found relief from the Lord, he was able to rest comfortably. The Lord will provide our rest, no matter what we are going through.

Even if there are ten thousands of adversaries encircling us, we can always find confidence in the Lord.

4. Recount what God has done for us

As David did, we need to come before the Lord with a heart of thanksgiving and tell him of the things he has done for us.

It isn’t as if God doesn’t know what he’s done for us, but it is part of our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to recount his blessing to him with a grateful heart.