“I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill.” Psalm 3:4

Dear Father,

Many of us feel as David did 

when his son Absalom was pursuing him to kill him:

Many are our foes, 

many rise against us, 

and many tell us

there is no hope for salvation in you (See Psalm 3:1-2).

Whether our foes are 

in the world, 

in our own sinful nature, 

or in the evil one, 

they press in on us, 

causing us to lose hope.

When we face so many foes, 

help us to turn to you as David did, 

to cry aloud to you 

and to listen for your answer. 

For indeed, you alone are our protective shield, 

you alone are our glory — 

the One who goes before us in battle.

You have lifted our heads hung down in shame, 

our heads hung down in disappointment, 

our heads hung down in fear (See Psalm 3:3). 

Safe and secure in your loving embrace, 

we can lie down in sleep, 

trusting you to protect us and those we love.

And when we arise, 

we will not be afraid, 

even where there are enemies 

before us, 

beside us, 

and behind us. 

You have struck your Son, 

allowing him to become cursed on the cross

as he took on all of our sins. 

To him, salvation truly belongs. 

In him, we have every spiritual blessing (See Psalm 3:8)

Thank you, Lord, for this assurance in times of trouble. Amen.

Read Psalm 3.