Last Thursday, I gave the devotion at the shelter where our church serves dinner once a month.  Here is the essence of what I shared.

We are all faced with trials in our life, but it is how we approach the trial that is important.  The good news is that there is a formula for what to do that is recorded in the Bible. The story revolves around the second King of Israel – David. David, you probably remember was the one that faced the trial of Goliath the giant Philistine. He faced many trials in his life, just like we do. One of the biggest was when his first born son, Absalom, tried to kill him to take over the kingdom and David had to flee for his life.

In Psalm 3, David records this event and what he did when it happened. It shows us how we can face the trials of our lives. It is a short psalm and it is composed of several sections.

David’s trial
David’s prayer
David’s peace
God’s answer

See if you can pick out these sections as you read Psalm 3.

Did you see how David was caught off guard by the size of the rebellion. We are often caught off guard by the trials we face. His reaction was to go to God in prayer. But what happens next is the important part. David then trusts God. He was at peace for whatever outcome God had planned. He also realized that what he needed was rest and rejuvenation to face what was coming, so he slept and was refreshed. That is the key to David formula for facing the trial. He trusted God for the outcome and then got prepared, not by worrying about the outcome, but by being refreshed and ready. Finally God answers David. It wouldn’t have mattered what God had in mind for David or what God’s answer was, because he trusted God and was prepared for any outcome.

So, it is a simple formula for facing a trial in life.

Pray
Trust God, get some rest, get ready, and don’t worry.
Accept God’s answer, for He knows what is best for you.

Always praying for the glory of God,