YOUR BLESSING IS UPON YOUR PEOPLE

Text: Psalm 3
1 July 2012

(I) THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING BLESSED AS GOD’S PEOPLE’S

“Your blessing is upon Your people” Psalm 3:8

1. Blessing is part of God’s covenantal relationship with Israel

2. A blessed relationship

a) Chosen to be His people ( Deuteronomy 7:6 )

b) Promise of blessing ( Deuteronomy 7:12 )

c) God will love and bless ( Deuteronomy 7:13 )

d) Blessed above all other nations ( Deuteronomy 4:7, 8 )

3. David’s Personal understanding of this blessing

a) Applies to the nation of Israel as His people

b) Applies to the individual as part of His people

(II) A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LORD’S BLESSING

1. Given in the context of life’s troubles

“…Lord , how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.” Psalm 3:1
Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ ” Psalm 3:2

a) Blessings do not cancel out troubles in life

b) They are nevertheless given in the midst of troubles

i) Many who trouble

ii) Many who rise up against

iii) Many who ridicule

2. Experiencing God’s powerful blessing

“But You, O Lord , are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people w ho have set themselves against me all around.” Psalm 3:3-6

a) Protection as a shield

b) His glory revealed in us

c) The Lifter of our head

d) Hearing our prayers

e) Sustaining us

(III) THE PRAYER OF CONFIDENCE IN GODS’S BLESSING

1. A plea for deliverance

“Arise, O Lord ; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;” Psalm 3:7

a) A plea for the Lord to arise

b) Seeking the Lord’s salvation

2. Seeking justice

“For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone” Psalm 3:7

a) God delivers justice

b) Just recompense to the enemies

3. A confident declaration of God’s blessings.

“Salvation belongs to the Lord . Your blessing is upon Your people.” Psalm 3:8

a) The Lord’s blessing is truly on His people

b) A declaration full of confidence in the Lord’s blessings