The Lord Sustained Me

Peter slept in prison the night before his trial (Acts 12:6). Long before, King David wrote a song about sleeping in danger. It is Psalm 3.

When David wrote it. The title of Psalm 3 says David wrote it when he fled from Absalom his son, who had turned many people against him.

Many enemies. David prayed, “Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me” (Psalm 3:1).

What people said. “Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God’” (3:2). People said God would not help David.

Selah. After that verse comes the word Selah. Most likely it was a sign to pause and think.

But You. David did not stop at what people said. He turned to God: “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head” (3:3).

Prayer in the trouble. David prayed while he was still running from danger. Prayer is the first thing we can do in any trouble.

Honest prayer. David did not pretend everything was fine. He told God how many enemies he had. You can be honest with God too.

A shield. A shield protects a soldier from what is thrown at him. God was David’s shield on every side.

Courage from God. David’s courage did not come from his army. It came from knowing that God was with him and was listening.

Lifts up my head. When people are sad or ashamed, they hang their heads. God lifted David’s head and gave him hope.

He heard me. “I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill” (3:4). David prayed out loud, and God heard.

Peter’s friends. The church in Jerusalem did the same thing. When Peter was in danger, they cried out to God, and He heard them (Acts 12:5).

Our biggest trouble. Our worst enemy is not a person. It is sin. We have all sinned, and we could not save ourselves.

Jesus, our shield. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, and He rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is safe with God.

What we learn. When people say there is no hope, God is still our shield, and He hears us when we pray.

What to do. When you feel afraid, pray David’s words: “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me.”

On the night before his trial, “Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers” (Acts 12:6). David knew that kind of peace too.

Asleep in danger. David wrote, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). His enemies were near, yet he slept.

Sustained. Sustained means held up and kept safe. David could sleep because God was holding him up all night.

God does not sleep. Another psalm says, “Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). We can sleep because God stays awake.

Peter’s night. Peter did not know whether he would live or die the next day. Most likely he rested because his life was in the Lord’s hands, just as David’s was.

Rest is trust. Going to sleep can be a way of trusting God with the night. We cannot guard ourselves all night long, but God can.

Not afraid. David said, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around” (3:6).

Arise, O Lord. Then David prayed, “Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God!” (3:7). He asked God to act.

Only God saves. David ended, “Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people” (3:8). Only God can save.

Blessing for all. David’s last words in the psalm were not about himself. He asked for God’s blessing on all His people (3:8).

Peter and James. God saved Peter from Herod that night. James had died. But both men belonged to God, and nothing could take them from Him.

Peter’s words later. Peter later wrote to believers who were suffering, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14).

Saved from sin. The salvation that belongs to the Lord is bigger than escaping a prison. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Bedtime fears. Some nights you may feel afraid in the dark. God is awake, and He is with you.

Not alone. Peace with God does not mean we hide our fears. Tell God, and tell a grown-up you trust when you are afraid.

What we learn. When we trust God, we can rest, because He holds us up and salvation belongs to Him.

What to do. Tonight, before you sleep, pray Psalm 3:5 and thank God that He stays awake for you.