David was older. He had made some mistakes that brought him to this moment in his life. His son, his seed, his own flesh and blood had taken over his kingdom and was now trying to kill him. David flees.

David knew what it was like to flee for his life. When he was a young man, before he was king, he fled from Saul and lived in the strongholds. I wonder if his thoughts were, “I never dreamed I would be in this place once again.”

I don’t know if he thought that, but I know what he wrote. In this place of despair, when death seemed eminent, David wrote “You O Lord are a shield about me and the lifter of my head.”

This morning, you may be in a situation that seems hopeless. Sickness may be pursuing you, lack, loneliness, a wayward child, a difficult marriage, unemployment. You may even think, your actions have brought you to this point. But like David, let us remember and call out to the Lord our God. He is a shield about us. He is our glory. He is the One who lifts our head. He will answer us from His holy mountain. Do not be afraid of the trouble that has set itself against you. Salvation belongs to our Lord. And as David was restored as king, God will restore us as well.

Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah. But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah. (Psalms 3:2-4, 6, 8 NASB)