December 18, 2022 - Psalm 3

I think I’ll close out the year with the Psalms. Today’s sermon at Baxter is from Luke 2:1-12: “What a Contrast! The Wise Men and Herod.” The wise men – indeed, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, too – could affirm David’s affirmation of God’s care. Threatened by Herod, fleeing from death, they could have testified with David, “Many are rising against me. But you, O Lord, are a shield about me . . . I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me . . . the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:1-5).

Too little, I fear, do we clearly see the daily rest, care, and protection God has provided to us in himself. Often, our first response to danger and adversity is to make our plans of response, though, our immediate response should be to cry out to God. It’s not that we just passively sit by in the face of danger and cry to God. It’s not that we do nothing but pray. But pray we will for, with David, we can testify, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me” (Psalm 138:7). And, so, with the words of the old spiritual, we sing:

I want Jesus to walk with me.

I want Jesus to walk with me.

All along my pilgrim journey,

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me.

When my heart is almost breaking,

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me.

When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me.

When my head is bowed in sorrow,

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.