Mensa Otabil - Salvation Belongs to God
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We end our study of the third psalm today, and we read from verse 8: «Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing is upon Your people.» Selah. We know how Absalom’s rebellion ended. He rose up against David, his father, and it didn’t end well for Absalom; he died a very horrible death. David had a victory in the end, but as a father, David was heartbroken for his son. He did everything possible to deliver his son from a very painful end, but Absalom was insistent on continuing on the path he had chosen. In the end, he was defeated, and everybody else who rebelled with him was also defeated. It didn’t end well for them. David experienced God’s victory, although he was very sad about how the victory came about since he lost his son in the process. He declared God’s power and victory over the battle.
He ends the psalm with two affirmations: «Salvation belongs to the Lord» and «The blessing of the Lord is upon His people.» That’s what David declares: «Salvation belongs to the Lord.» In other words, He is the deliverer; He is the protector; He is the one who gets us out. People may have strong ammunition aimed against you. They may say very violent things against you. They may promise all kinds of things about your end and prophesy your end, but ultimately, salvation belongs to God. God is the final determinant of the outcome of your life, so don’t ever let anyone else determine the outcome of your life. God determines the outcome of your life.
Then David said, «The blessing of the Lord is upon His people.» God blesses His people, and when people of evil intention rise up against God’s people, they never win; they can’t win. They can seem to be succeeding for a moment, but God gives victory and blessing to His people. If you are a child of God, if you are living for Him, if your heart is right, and if someone plants evil against you, God will fight for you and give you the victory because salvation belongs to Him and His blessing is upon His people.
Well, the psalm ends with the final Selah, and this is the third one in the psalm. The first Selah was in verse two when David says, «Many are they who say that there is no hope for him in the Lord.» Then he does the first Selah in verse four. He says, «I cried to the Lord, and He heard me out of His holy hill.» Then he says Selah. In verse eight, he says, «Salvation belongs to God, and the Lord blesses His people,» and that’s the final Selah.
So when people are against you and everyone says that our God is against you, and there is no hope for you, Selah, have your peace. When God hears your voice as you cry and pray to Him, even if you haven’t seen the victory, once you pray to God, have your peace. In the end, God gives you the victory, and you will have your peace. Three Selahs, and may the Lord give you His peace as He gives you His strength and rest from all your enemies. May the Lord fight for you in every situation. Though it is a tough battle, may the Lord pull you out from the jaws and teeth of lions and bears that have risen up against you. You are the Lord’s child, and He protects His own and delivers them. Just keep your heart pure and make sure you don’t partake in evil, then the Lord will fight for you and deliver you.
Well, tomorrow we start another study altogether, and we will go to another portion of Scripture. Let’s share a word of prayer. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, You are the one who decides how my battles will end. I trust You for total victory. In Jesus' name, Amen.» And Amen. I’ll catch you again tomorrow morning. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.