A Big "But"

Psalm 3 is the conversation that King David has with God during the time that David's son, Absalom, is trying to take over the kingdom. David says "O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!"

We are living in unsettling times. From a conservative Christian standpoint, I feel at times like many foes are trying to take over the kingdom. The financial crisis that our country is presently dealing with shows how even in this great country of ours, corruption and greed can affect so many people. As I listen to our leaders and presidential candidates pontificate about what "they would do", and what must be done, it is clear to me that no one really has the answers. Where it hits home is in the high gas prices I pay, the increasing cost of food for our table, increasing insurance and medical care costs, and the list goes on and on.

David goes on to say "BUT (my emphasis) you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head." The "but" is huge here. Later in Psalm 3 David says "I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side". David realizes that even though the situation is very dangerous and seemingly unsolvable, God is on his side. The word "but" draws a contrast between what may be and what really is. In other words, you may be reeling from all the uncertainty and confusion of the day, but, God can be a shield around you. Most of us have been raised to be very independent and not ask for help. Unfortunately, when we live like that, we also tend to be independent from God as well. For me, these are becoming humbling times, I don't have answers, and at times my heart is gripped with fear for the future. But, I'm asking God to help me depend on Him, and I'm asking Him to "be a shield around me", and my family.