One of the reasons I like flowers so much, is it only takes one to brighten the landscape.
And yet the detail, the intricate design of any flower holds me in awe at the Creator.
Even in a garden of many blooms, each one is worth looking at.
Then to stand back and see the bigger design often takes my breath away.
Of late, that is what has been occurring with the Psalms, the big picture is incredible, but I’ve learned so much from looking at the details.
We are memorizing Psalms 3.
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 no help for him in God.” Selah
Psalms 3:1-2 NKJV
The opening is a cry from the heart and it’s not a happy one.
Yet, there’s such connection here.
The Psalmist is reflecting an emotion most people can relate to.
The beauty comes in the next verses.
But You, O Lord , are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalms 3:3 NKJV
He states his circumstances, completely.
Though many are against him, the Lord is with him.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
Psalms 3:4 NKJV
To be heard when one is crying out!
What compares to the comfort of knowing God has heard?
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.
Psalms 3:5-6 NKJV
After being heard by God, the Psalmist could rest peaceful, aware that God is the One protecting and providing.
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.
Psalms 3:7 NKJV
Since the coming of Jesus, we know that His death on the cross conquered sin and death.
Evil has not been completely wiped out yet, as the Lord is waiting to save as many as will come to Him, those who will call on His name.
Salvation belongs to the Lord . Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
Psalms 3:8 NKJV
What joy!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for salvation! Thank You for these verses. Thank You for the beauty in scripture both the big picture and each individual detail. Lord, Your Word is a light to my path and food to my soul. How good to know that I can call upon You all day long. I can rest in Your salvation. I can lift up my head, for You are the One who sustains me. Blessed be Your name, Jesus! Amen.
patientlyhopeful 
Good afternoon. Hope. I normally don’t do this so I pray you will extend me some grace for my long comment. 😊 One of my favorite verses from Psalm 3 is verse 3.
As I was reading your post, I thought about the gift of the piece of our spiritual armor, the shield of faith, Paul speaks about in Ephesians 6:16. Then I read the following from “Got Questions” which I found interesting:
“The shield of faith is part of the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10–17. After summarizing the gospel and giving the Ephesians various instructions, Paul concludes his missive to them saying, in part, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10–11). About the shield, Paul writes, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (verse 16). The ESV puts it this way: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”
The Roman shield of the time was called a scutum. This type of shield was as large as a door and would cover the warrior entirely. Such a shield was not just defensive but could also be used to push opponents. When fighting as a group, a phalanx of soldiers could position their shields so as to form an enclosure around themselves, called a testudo (“tortoise”). This was especially helpful to protect against arrows launched from the walls of cities they were attacking. Shields, often made of wood and then covered in hide, when wet, could extinguish flaming arrows.
Clearly, a shield is vitally important to a soldier. It provides a blanket of protection. It is meant to be taken up in all circumstances. It is the first barrier against the enemy’s attack. Often, shields were painted with identifying marks; a Christian who takes up the shield of faith identifies himself as a foot soldier who serves the Commander of the Lord’s army (see Joshua 5:14).
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Verse 6 stresses the importance of faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Satan’s attacks can sometimes cause us to doubt God. Faith prompts us to believe God. We give in to temptation when we believe what it has to offer is better than what God has promised. Faith reminds us that, though fulfillment of God’s promise may not be readily visible to us, God is true to His Word. When Satan attempts to plague us with doubt or entice us with instant gratification, faith recognizes the deceptiveness of his tactics and quickly extinguishes the arrows. When Satan accuses us, faith chooses to believe that Jesus has redeemed us and that there is no more condemnation (Romans 8:1, 34; Revelation 12:10–12).
Faith is one of the greatest gifts (1 Corinthians 13:13), and it is the means by which we receive grace and come into right relationship with God (Ephesians 2:8–9). It is because we have been justified through faith that we belong to God and have peace with Him (Romans 5:1). Faith is the doorway to hope in God (Romans 5:2). Because we have faith in God, our suffering need not faze us; in fact, we can persevere under it (Romans 5:3–5). The things Satan attempts to use to discourage us can actually become tools in the hands of God.
All believers have this promise: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Faith is a protective barrier between us and the schemes of Satan. When we believe God and take Him at His word, we remain grounded in truth, the lies of the enemy lose their power, and we become overcomers. In that way, faith is our shield.”
I love how our Father speaks to me and leads me to other Scriptures and instruction from someone’s post.
Will be thinking of you holding up the shield of faith as both a defensive and offensive piece of your spiritual armor in your day-to-day.
Thank you so much! I couldn’t agree more with you on all this. I really appreciate your comment and I’m blessed that God spoke to you through His Word. May we never weary of learning from scripture! I also really appreciate your prayers. God is so good and I am so blessed by Him and His saints who lift me and my family up in prayer. God bless you!
Postscript:
I really love the visual of a “phalanx of soldiers” and will picture this whenever I think about a group of God’s men and women agreeing/doing battle in prayer for another disciple:
“When fighting as a group, a phalanx of soldiers could position their shields so as to form an enclosure around themselves, called a testudo (“tortoise”). This was especially helpful to protect against arrows launched from the walls of cities they were attacking. Shields, often made of wood and then covered in hide, when wet, could extinguish flaming arrows.”
That is a wonderful picture, indeed! Thank you for sharing that with me. I’ve known about that enclosure, but never thought of it in this way. Love it!