Psalm 3
“I’m sick,” he said, when mom came in to see why he wasn’t up yet. “I don’t think I should go to school today.
“What’s wrong?” She asked.
“My throat hurts,” he croaked, “and I have a cough.” He made a coughing sound.
Mom was unconvinced. She gave him a searching look and put her hand on his forehead. “You don’t feel hot,” she told him.
His eyes flickered and he stammered, “I really don’t think I can go to school. I wouldn’t want to get anyone else sick.”
He was sincere and earnest, but he clearly wasn’t sick. Mom looked at him with love and compassion, “Is something wrong at school?”
He didn’t meet her eyes. “No,” he mumbled, “I just don’t feel good today, but I can go if you think I can.” He got up and started to get ready.
“Okay,” Mom sighed, but she paused as she left the room. “You can talk to me about anything, you know. I care about what’s going on. I might even be able to help.” She turned back to give him a hug. “Love you, sweety.”
“I know, mom,” he said, but he couldn’t tell her. He couldn’t tell her how some of the older boys were picking on him. He definitely couldn’t tell her that his older brother had started it. He couldn’t tell her. She would call the school, talk to his teacher; tattle tails never had friends. He couldn’t tell her about his brother; he knew he’d pay dearly if he did. He can’t have mom fight his battles. He can’t tell dad, either. Dad would just tell him to stick up for himself. That would make things much worse. No, no one could save him. He had to face this alone.
As much as we know how hurtful bullying can be and as hard as we try to prevent it, teaching children empathy and compassion, bullying always has and likely will always be a difficult part of childhood. Many have painful memories of desperate days. Many feel surrounded, overwhelmed, and hopeless, unable to avoid the unwanted attention. They feel like no one will come and save them.
Bullies aren’t just reserved for childhood. Neither is the feeling that no one can help, no one will help. At various times in our lives, we feel like we are surrounded. We may suffer from uncaring or even malicious antagonistic people, seemingly bent on your misery. It may be circumstances; when it rains it pours, and you left your coat at home. You can’t escape the deluge. Many voices try to convince you to give up hope. No one can save you, they say.
The loudest voice is often your own heart. If God allows such suffering, he either must have turned his back on you, he must be punishing you, or at least be unsympathetic to your feelings. I must deserve this or maybe hoping for justice is futile.
When David wrote Psalm 3, his son, Absolom, had incited his people against him. David was on the run. Enemies were everywhere. Even those to whom David had shown great compassion rushed to ridicule him.
David couldn’t see any hope. David couldn’t anticipate any end to the hostility. The king had been a bad father. The king had made terrible mistakes. Maybe he did deserve this. Maybe God wouldn’t save him. Maybe his enemies were right.
David took his suffering and his anguish and his doubts to God. Salvation didn’t depend on David, his strength, his goodness and worthiness. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Even when life seemed unbearable and enemies were lying in wait for him. David woke up to another day. That was all he needed to know God still had a plan for him. David placed justice in God’s hands. He waited for God’s timing. God would never removed his blessing from his people. Even when we are overwhelmed, we have hope.
Your blessing rests on your people.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18); unfortunately, sometimes peace does not depend on you. Sometimes enemies will surround us. Sometimes we may suffer unjustly. When you feel alone, God remains at your side. Jesus let himself be surrounded. He let injustice fall on him, so that he could bring you salvation. Never give up hope, Salvation belongs to the LORD. You will never suffer alone.
As adults, we would tell that child to tell his mother, tell a teacher, ask for help. We know others want to help him. We, adults, need this reminder as well. We who recognize our need of salvation, can never be ashamed to depend on others. Your fellow Christians are eager to stand at your side to bear one another’s burdens. Together let us cry out to the Lord. Rise up, O Lord! Save me, my God!
He hears. He answers. He saves. Your enemies will all be defeated in his love and grace.