New: 7 February 2025
Trusting God
during Persecution
Psalm 3
O LORD, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
Many are saying of my soul,
'There is no deliverance for him in God.'
Psalm 3:1-2 NASB
The Pain of Betrayal
The pain of betrayal is certainly among the worst kinds of pain, especially when it comes from within your own family or circle of trusted friends. David had to deal with such experiences several times. He was persecuted by a man he called king and father; he was mistreated by a son he loved; and he was betrayed by those he considered his close companions (Psalm 55:12-14). Such are the experiences of life and Psalm 3 shows us something about how David handled such incidents. Although all betrayal and rejection feels bad, not all betrayal and rejection is bad: sometimes bad things have to happen to expose evil and get rid of it. The key issue is, are we able to trust God through the painful process of betrayal, rejection and loneliness?
A small but important detail about Psalm 3 is to note the heading: 'A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.' This headline is part of the psalm and comes from the original author. The numbers of the psalms are not original from the author; they were added later during the compilation process of the Bible (nothing wrong with that; it's to get easy reference). Some Bible publishers add title headings to the psalms, yet that is how they would entitle the psalms (usually useful, but not original). There are, however, a few psalms with original headings by the author and we must take note of that. Psalm 3 is such a case. This important detail gives us a context for the psalm. We can place it within the historical framework of the events. In order to understand the gravity of Psalm 3, reading it in context of David's life and what he was going through at the time, is vital.
The Historical Context
David was at the height of his power when a terrible rebellion escalated against him. Some say that if you have something worth having, someone will rise up to take it from you. David was in such a situation. It is bad enough to be persecuted and for your adversaries to increase. Life seems overwhelming and we tend to panic in helplessness. To be persecuted in betrayal is even worse. The looniness is difficult to bear. But that was not everything: the traitor was one of his own sons! Absalom (Hebrew: Av-shalom, father of peace) rose up in rebellion against king David, his father. There was no peace for David during that time, neither did peace come from his son. There was pain, chaos and persecution. But that was not the first time David experienced such things.
After years of hardships and persecution by king Saul, David eventually became king. He had been a champion ever since he defeated Goliath, yet evil deeds of a jealous king forced David into the fires of suffering and survival. But God is faithful to His word and David was anointed king over all of Israel. It was the Golden Age of Israel, the height of the nation's wealth and power. David had several children from different wives. Ever since his adultery with Bathsheba, however, things deteriorated among his children. Absalom avenged his violated sister in a brutal manner. He then aspired the position of his aging father. He did so by appealing to people and offering his services so as to undermine his father's authority and legitimacy. Eventually he started a rebellion against king David. Rather than fighting his own son, David fled and left things in God's hands. This was noble and humble. He trusted God to bring about justice in the midst of injustice, betrayal and suffering.
But You, O LORD,
are a shield about me,
my glow, and the One
who lifts my head.
I was crying to the LORD
with my voice,
and He answered me from
His holy mountain.
Psalm 3:3-4
God's Protection & answered Prayer
Psalm 3 is a prayer and contemplation. David spoke of the many adversaries that rose up against him (v 1). They were confident that there was 'no help for him in God' (v 2). They proclaimed that even God had forsaken the beloved king of Israel. David must have been reminded of the terrible hardship and suffering he had to endure under the persecution by king Saul, his predecessor. Now his own son persecuted him. It is bad when an enemy pursues you, but when a man you considered a father figure or a son you love attacks you, things are even worse. David had others who betrayed him, and he had to deal with that pain, too (see Psalm 55:12-14). These are tough times, yet such are part of life. Remember, it is not what happens to you, but how you respond that really matters. You cannot control what others do wrong, but you can control what you do right. That is your responsibility. We can feel sorry for ourselves and fall into victim mode, or we can pray to God and trust Him for deliverance even when others say there is none. We shall not listen to the false words of those who deny God's power to deliver or God's faithfulness to help. It is important to believe the truth about God. By expressing who God is, the psalmist doesn't remind God of who He is, he is reminding himself of who God is. In the midst of chaos and distraction, it is vital to have moral clarity of who God is and how He acts. Injustice is temporary; justice will be permanent. Sometimes circumstances are contrary to how we understand God. It is important that we remain firm in biblical truth and not allow our faith to be shaken.
David knew that God was a shield around him (Psalm 3:3a). Despite the hardship, betrayal and rejection, God would lift his head up (v 3b). God would hear his prayer (v 4). God is with us to encourage us and remove despair that paralyses us in such difficult situations. It is astonishing that David could lay down and sleep (v 5a) given the many powerful warriors that were persecuting him. Placing that verse into the historical context of overpowering persecution shows us the power of God's protection and the blessing of His peace when we make Him our refuge and know Him as our shield (protection). God sustained the persecuted king (v 5b). He was fearless, even when facing an overwhelming opposition (v 6). Trusting God gives us confidence that the One who is with us is more powerful than the many that are against us. God would arise and defend David against his enemies (v 7). The choice of words seems a bit graphic here, yet Absalom died a horrible death. He looked successful and invincible with a large army behind him, but those who fight against God's order and rightful dignitaries will meet their fate. Everyone will reap what they sow, eventually. Absalom brought this upon himself.
Absalom exalted himself, yet that lead to his downfall. Pride goes before the fall, as the ancient proverb goes (see Proverbs 16:18). His wickedness was an abomination before God (v 12). Absalom made his father look bad by slander in order to make himself look good by falsehood. Such evil scheming may prosper for a while, and many may fall for the lies and deception, but eventually it will meet the bad end it deserves. We can trust God during persecution. He is a powerful shield and a righteous judge. We must not take our own revenge, but trust God to set things right. David did not rejoice when his enemies fell; he lamented over both Saul and Absalom, who were his worst persecutors. We must keep a heart of compassion even for those who seek to do us harm. And we need to trust God through everything we must go through. He can work all things together for good.
Handling Rejection & Loneliness Rightly
What makes betrayal and persecution worse, is the rejection and loneliness that comes with it. This is the make or break point. How we handle this is crucial for the outcome. Pain can make people very resentful; revenge is their outlet. This causes more harm. The biblical instruction, on the other hand, is to forgive, to overcome evil by doing good, and to trust God to set things right. The persecution of slander provokes a reaction in us to defend ourselves, which sometimes makes us look ridiculous. Absalom, being shrewd, had people around him who affirmed that there is no reliever for David from God. There is always the choir of the liar, those who repeat the propaganda lies until everyone else believes them too. This drives the persecuted into loneliness and isolation. This is a dangerously dark place.
Sometimes life feels like an avalanche: even if you try to stop it, you can't and it will bury you. The key is to be a seed in the soil. A seed is placed in the darkness of the soil, yet takes root and eventually sprouts. As someone said, they buried us, yet didn't know we were seeds. Sometimes persecution puts you in a place that seems the end, yet it is the very environment you need to be in, in order to flourish. Sometimes the best comes out of you when you're in the worst of situations. Making the best out of every situation, seeking the good things despite the bad circumstances, is a seed to overcome. Jospeh is an example of such behaviour in times of rejection, false association and loneliness. He came out stronger; he overcame and succeeded despite the impossible circumstances he was in. Don't allow your faith to be diminished; trust God during persecution. Seeking Him in your loneliness. Let Him fill you with peace and comfort.
Persecution and betrayal are part of human behaviour. Jesus predicted that this would happen (Matthew 10:23). Cain killed Abel; Esau persecuted Jacob; Jospeh's brothers sold him into slavery; the prophets were ridiculed and rejected; Herod sought to kill Jesus; Paul was persecuted. How we handle these situations is key. Although painful, often unbearable, betrayal and rejection is part of life. We need to handle it rightly. Not all betrayal and rejection is bad, as it can expose evil and get rid of it. Sometimes rejection is moving you out of a circle you don't belong it. Sometimes betrayal exposes the false people around you. Some people would do anything just to belong where they actually don't belong. Some people would make great compromises just to avoid the loneliness they fear. Taking a step away from what seeks to harm or destroy you is an act of courage. David did it, both under Saul (when he threw a spear at him, i.e., putting his life in danger) and when Absalom rose upon against him (to depose and dispose of him). God is a shield; make sure you are protected.
Separating the sheep from the goats is an important process. The choice to turn to God in prayer, to trust Him in persecution and to overcome evil by doing good (not allowing the evil you suffer to make you do evil things or, worse, make you evil by bitterness) are key strategies to handle betrayal and rejection rightly. By doing what is right, you trust God to set things right.
Salvation belongs to the LORD;
Your blessing be upon Your people!
Psalm 3:8
