The man who had it all was on the run.
The hunter hot on his heels barely gave him time to pause for breath. If the man was caught, the hunter would eat him alive. The man had a few friends to hide amongst, but he should’ve had more. How many times had this person or that person eaten at his own table? Now they only desired to devour his life.
A CEO, a leader, a writer…prey, fallen, heartbroken. To whom could he turn? No one but God could help him now.
The hunter and his pack drew closer. The hunter.
The son.
O Absalom…
King David must’ve been heartbroken to find himself chased from his God-given throne by his own flesh and blood. We can imagine him dandling Absalom on his knees, teaching him to ride a horse, and telling the little boy about dad’s skirmish with Goliath. How could a father’s love be tossed aside for a son’s greed?
We can only imagine David’s crushed heart and desperate soul. But David always knew where to turn in troubled times. On the run, in hiding, David the writer trained his thoughts and prayers on the Lord and wrote psalm 3, which he called “A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.” Even the title is touchingly sad.
Psalm 3 is a simple framework for prayer in fear, uncertainty, and heartache. Most of us are familiar with Daniel’s prayer in A – Adoration of God, C – Confession of sin, T – Thanksgiving to the Lord, and S – Supplication to ask for what we want/need.
Tucked away into this brief psalm is a subtler model for appealing to God. David’s prayer in Psalm 3 is raw, troubled, and yet full of hope. It is a prayer for every desperate heart. What I appreciate about David’s prayer is that it’s not answered when he concludes his supplication to the Lord. He’s left the result up to God. We know the conclusion of the story from elsewhere in the Bible.
David’s confidence was in the Lord’s character and His past work, which David drew upon as a shelter and shield.
If you find yourself with a desperate soul, consider this four-step method David use to pen this famous psalm:
Psalm 3
A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.
The Problem Psalm 3: 1-2 Tell God what is happening that makes you worried, frightened, anxious, or uncertain. Describe the situation and your feelings about it.
Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
Many are they who say of me, “There is not help for him in God.” Selah
The Person Psalm 3: 3-4 What qualities and characteristics of God’s heart give you confidence that He cares about your problem and has the power to handle it?
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
The Provision Psalm 3: 5-6 How is God showing up for you right now, even if your situation is unresolved?
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
The Past Psalm 3: 7-8 How has God helped you in the past? Remembering how God has delivered you in the past gives you confidence He can do it again.
Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
You can use this Problem, Person, Provision, Past framework in your daily time with God or when you just need encouragement during a difficult season. Let me know if it helps you.
If you want a simple way to record your prayers, grab your copy of the Psalm 3 prayer guide, above. I created two styles. And, yes, the blue flowers are still here.