Betrayal splits families apart like nothing else! King David’s son, Absalom (see psalm subtitle), who’d already had his elder brother murdered out of revenge (2 Samuel 13), set himself up as a rival to his father’s authority. First, he questioned David’s running of the country and then, like an oily politician full of promises, ‘he stole the hearts of the people’ (2 Samuel 15:6), leading to a full revolt. This left his father heartbroken and on the run (see 2 Samuel 13–18 for the whole story).

When we’re under attack, we can choose either to give in to hopelessness or give in to God’s sufficiency. David is still ‘a man after God’s own heart’, so what’s his first move after assessing the problem (vs 1,2)? He celebrates who God is and what he’s done (v 3). This discipline reminds us that our God is stronger than the Enemy! Notice the shift that occurs after he cries out his need to God (vs 4–6). Rest comes when we consciously drop our fear and pain into the immensity of God’s love and power. Prayer locates our confidence in him (vs 6–8) and delivers the ‘peace of God, which transcends all understanding’ (Philippians 4:7).

While under arrest Paul wrote to the Philippians of a peace that ‘surpasses all understanding’.¹ Have you ever experienced such God-given peace amid times of trouble?

Today’s psalm was written when King David was fleeing his rebellious subjects.² Not only did many of his own people turn against him, but these rebels were led by his own son, Absalom. How devastating to be betrayed by your own flesh and blood! Things appeared utterly hopeless for David. Absalom was leading an army of thousands against him and the opinion of the masses was that God had abandoned David (v 2). 

It would have been easy for him to give up on God in the face of all these terrible events. Although God had made him king, everything seemed now to be falling to pieces. When times get tough, we are often tempted to question how much God really cares for us and to doubt whether the Lord will help us. We can learn, though, from how David coped in this situation. First, he remembered that God had always been there to strengthen him and raise him up in the past: the Lord had always been his shield and lifted up his head, protecting and delivering him (v 3). This knowledge stirs him on to pray boldly for deliverance, being honest and open about exactly what he needs from God.

While he waits for this deliverance – which we know did eventually come, for Absalom’s schemes failed and the rebellion was crushed – David received strength from God to cope. Despite being hunted by so many enemies who wanted to take his life, David was so free of fear, he was able to sleep and be renewed in his strength (vs 5,6). This encourages us that even when difficulties drag on, all is not lost and we are never alone: God can give us the strength we need to cope.

Are any troubles testing your faith currently? Reflect on how God has helped you through difficulties in the past and ask for God’s help with what you are facing now.

¹ Phil 4:7, NRSV  ² See 2 Sam 15–18