“O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying to me, “There is no help for you in God.” But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Rise up, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people!” Psalm 3

“Psalm 3 is a psalm of prayer in which we follow the example of David. He prayed this prayer in distress when his son Absalom expelled him, and his prayer was granted to him. At the end, David glorifies God for being a true helper and keeper for all of His people who call on Him in distress. This psalm belongs to the First Commandment, that God will be our God and our help. The psalm is in the Seventh Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, in which we pray to be delivered from all evil.” (Martin Luther, Reading the Psalms with Luther)

What do you do when life falls apart? Few of us have gone through anything close to the trauma that David was experiencing, or even the troubles of Joseph because of his brothers. But most people have had times when they could identify with David, or Joseph, or even Peter. Perhaps you thought that things were fine at work, but you suddenly got called into the boss’ office and were fired for false allegations. Perhaps you were caught off guard by a sudden diagnosis, or a death of a loved one. You received a medical bill you did not expect and now wonder how you will provide for your family. Sometimes, life just falls apart.

If you find you are caught off guard by life throwing you a curve, remember that, along with so many in this congregation, and this community, you join a long procession of people who have been caught off guard when their lives fell apart. But, you should remember that you are not alone — G-d continues to walk with us on these difficult paths. As the Psalmist says: Deliverance belongs to the Lord. As such, we need to trust G-d and remember the Lord continues to sustain us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be with us as the sure defense of Your Church. Defend us against our enemies, preserve us from the persecutions of the wicked, and when our last hour has come, deliver us from all evil, both of body and soul, and receive us into Your everlasting kingdom. Amen.