How Are They Increased That Trouble Me! David cried out to the LORD with these words! Psalm 3:1-8 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

But Thou, O LORD art a shield for me; my Glory, and the Lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone;

Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.

Do you ever feel like you are surrounded by the enemy? That you get through one battle, only to be faced with another? Beloved, this life will be a struggle to the end, but we are not left to struggle alone! We are not left without weapons for the battle!

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Ephesians 6:10-18,23-24 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

[23] Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our LORD Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

How do we navigate through this life in the midst of the attacks of the enemy? By keeping our eyes on Him, and by putting on the full armor of God! He has not left us helpless, but He has given us His authority and power, by His Spirit living in us!

There’s a Word that appears 75 times in my Bible, and that Word is in Psalm 3 above. It is the Word Selah!

There is debate over what it means, but since it is found in songs or poems writtten by David and Habakkuk, many think it a musical notation. A notation to pause and reflect on the Words spoken before!

But, there is a verse in 2 Kings that gives me reason to believe it is placed there to remind us to pause and think about our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Here is the verse and the footnote found with it! 2 Kings 14:7 He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.

This is the only other book in the Bible where Selah is found. Here’s the footnote! Lit. The Rock; the city of Petra Selah was the city of Petra! Petra means Rock! The LORD is called the Rock of our Salvation!

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 Because I will publish the Name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of Truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.

2 Samuel 22:47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my Rock; and exalted be the God of the Rock of my salvation. Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and Rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.

Beloved, when your enemies are increased stop and reflect upon your Rock! He will fight for you, and with you to the end! Selah.

Psalm 18:2-3,6 The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in Whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my salvation, and my High Tower.

I will call upon the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. [6] In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears.

Jesus told Peter and the other disciples that His church would be built upon the Rock and the gates of hell would not be able to prevail against it!

Matthew 16:13,16,18 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

[18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Many falsely teach the Rock that the church is built upon is Peter, but that is not true. It is Jesus as is clearly shown by the scriptures above.

Peter’s confession is what Jesus was speaking about; this confession — Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God! Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

There’s a chorus we used to sing in a church we attended years ago and it is taken from Psalm 3 where we began today! Let’s close with the lyrics!

Thou Art A Shield For Me! LORD, how are they increased that trouble me; Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul; There is no help for Him in God. [Chorus:] But Thou, O LORD, art a Shield for me; My glory, the Lifter up of mine head.

I cried unto the LORD with my voice; And He heard me out of His holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.