TW: Sexual Assault
Read Psalm 3
As King David nears the end of his life, which of his sons will inherit the throne? God has made it clear that he has chosen Solomon, but Absalom is power hungry and institutes a coup. He will stop at nothing to gain his father’s throne and so when David leaves the palace, Absalom tries to cement his power by forcing himself on his father’s concubines in public on the palace roof. He then attempts to lead the army to capture his father, but meets with a sticky end when his long hair gets caught in a tree leaving him unable to escape.
The historical account of this dark episode is found in 2 Samuel 15-18, but as author Heather Holdsworth helpfully points out, it is the Psalms where we find how David felt about all this. In psalm 3 he describes his many enemies – Absalom has led so many men to rise up against him. Many think this will be the end of David. Yet David expresses a glimmer of light which he finds in the character of God that he has known for so long. God is his shield and the one who lifts his head.
Perhaps you have experienced darkness which bowed your head low. Where you could no longer see any good around you. Where the hits just kept on coming and you found yourself unable to get up off the mat. Where hope seemed just out of grasp. Even where life itself felt like a burden rather than a gift, and one you no longer wished to carry.
At these times it is impossible to lift your own head. The well-meaning advice of others feels so painful – why don’t they understand that you just can’t go for a walk, or make a batch of green goddess juice, or dance in the moonlight under a tree at midnight, or whatever other thing they are convinced will make it better? At these times we need someone to lift our heads for us, and we need there to be something worth seeing when we do. David expresses his call to God in the pit of darkness, and finds that there is an answer.
God comes and lifts his head.
God ends his sleepless nights, and his ‘can’t get up’ days
God removes his fear, even though there is reason still to be fearful!
He is the One who delivers.
The psalms are poetry, not history books, and so we don’t know how long it took for David to feel this way. Maybe it was instant, or maybe it took weeks, months, or years. Our minds are complicated and we may not see God’s deliverance quickly. Or we may see it in part and long for complete healing. But David’s story assures us that it’s real and it is coming. There is light in the darkness.
Reflect
Does it help you to read David’s feelings as well as the history of what happened?
What are you calling you to God for just now?
How can others help in the wait for deliverance?
Susie lives in NE Fife and works in ministry. She loves being with friends, feeding people and half finished creative projects.
