Book One (1-41).

TRUSTING IN THE LORD (A Prayer Of Distress) (Eastertide - 50 days to Pentecost)

Psalm 4:1-8

Reading: Isa 26:1-4

Songs: Trust And Obey

Theme: trusting confidence in the Lord

INTRODUCTION

A. Outside the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, which is Denmark’s Parliament building, there are three stone figures symbolically guarding the entrance. They represent the earache, the headache, and the stomach ache. "They are here to suggest," said a Dane, "that if you enter politics, you will have all three, that is, that politics is very stressful. We live in a very stressful or stress-filled society, which can effect not just politicians, but all of us with trails in life such as sickness, lonliness and heart-ache.

B. Sometimes the stress shows up in our lives as sickness, loneliness or heartache. It could also show up as an inability to get a good nights sleep. Insomnia is a hideous condition. Sleep is necessary to live. Without it the body will eventually break down and will be affected both mentally and emotional.

C. Another place stress affects us in the soul. Just as the body and the mind need sleep to rest from the day's trials so the soul needs a rest to bring peace from spiritual turmoil. In our text David seems to have been worried and having trouble sleeping.

D. Ps. 4 may have been written soon after Psalm 3 during the time when David had fled from his son Absalom. Psalm 3 informs us when it was written but the same is not true of Psalm 4. However, David’s distress in Psalm 4, seems consistent with his distress in Psalm 3. There are similarities between the two Psalms.

E. King David called out to God but even despite his situation, David was able to declare that his heart is filled with joy

Body

I. PETITION FOR HELP (4:1-3).

The Call

A. Hear me when I call, O God ... (4:1-3).

KJV

1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician <05329> (8764) on Neginoth <05058>, A Psalm <04210> of David <01732>.>> Hear <06030> (8798) me when I call <07121> (8800), O God <0430> of my righteousness <06664>: thou hast enlarged <07337> (8689) me when I was in distress <06862>; have mercy <02603> (8798) upon me, and hear <08085> (8798) my prayer <08605>. {chief…: or, overseer} {have…: or, be gracious unto me}

1. David made an appeal to God for relief from distress (v 1).

a. enlarged, Strong’s - 07337. bxr RACHAB raw-khab’; a primitive root; to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative):— be an en-(make) large(-ing), make room, make (open) wide.

08689 Stem - Hiphil See 08818

Mood - Perfect See 08816

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(1) In the past, when it seemed there was no room for David from his distress, God had eased whatever it was which was giving David his distress.

(2) God enlarged David when he faced Goliath. He enlarged Israel when they faced large armies.

(3) We may seem defeated on the outside but inside we can still have the joy.

(4) As Paul wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2Co 4:8-9).

(5) How could these people feel joy, while there lives were filled with stress?

(6) Such joy comes only from trust or confidence in God (Psa 121:1-2; Mat 11:28).

b. Though there may not be much we can do about them on the outside, but like David, there is much we can do about them on the inside so that mentally, physically and spiritually, we are able to remain happy and get rest.

2. David pointed out that the first step to relief, at least on the inside is to call upon God (Mat 7:7, 11).

3. We also know the Jesus declared in asking, we must ask according to his will (to his disciple - Joh 15:6-10, *v 7; 1Jo 5:14).

4. Part of God’s will is that all people of accountability submit to the gospel which includes baptism into Christ’s name for the remission of our sins (Act 2:38; 22:16).

5. Therefore, if we want to call upon God’s name for help we must first be those who have given ourselves to him in obedience to his word (cf. Isa 59:1-2; Luk 6:46).

6. David was able to call upon God for help because David had been living righteously.

7. If you and I live righteously than we too can call upon God.

8. That is what he counseled other to do.

B. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame ... (4:2-3).

2 O ye sons <01121> of men <0376>, how long <05704> will ye turn my glory <03519> into shame <03639>? how long will ye love <0157> (8799) vanity <07385>, and seek <01245> (8762) after leasing <03577>? Selah <05542>.

3 But know <03045> (8798) that the LORD <03068> hath set apart <06395> (8689) him that is godly <02623> for himself: the LORD <03068> will hear <08085> (8799) when I call <07121> (8800) unto him.

Transition: Knowing we can call upon God’s we also need to know how to endure, so we won’t give up waiting on God.

II. PRESCRIPTION FOR ENDURING (4:4-5).

A. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune ... (4:4-5).

4 Stand in awe <07264> (8798), and sin <02398> (8799) not:: commune <0559> (8798) with your own heart <03824> upon your bed <04904>, and be still <01826> (8798). Selah <05542>.

1. Stand in awe of God (v 4).

a. awe, Strong’s - 07264. zgr RAGAZ raw-gaz’; a primitive root; to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear):— be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth.

08798 Stem - Qal See 08851

Mood - Imperative See 08810

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b. He is God and creator of all the universe.

c. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13).

2. sin not (Php 4:8).

3. Commune with God (v 4).

a. commune, Strong’s - 559. rma ÆAMAR aw-mar’; a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude):— answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, +( at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use [speech], utter, X verily, X yet.

08798 Stem - Qal See 08851

Mood - Imperative See 08810

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(1) We’re to meditate upon God’s revealed word and to prayer to him.

B. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness ... trust in the LORD ... (4:5).

5 Offer <02076> (8798) the sacrifices <02077> of righteousness <06664>, and put your trust <0982> (8798) in the LORD <03068>.

1. sacrifices of righteousness (v 5).

2. trust in the Lord (v 5).

Transition: Knowing we can all call upon God and knowing how to endure, we need still something else.

III. PATIENT SATISFACTION (4:6-8).

A. ... many ... say, Who will shew us any good ... (4:6-7).

6 ¶ There be many <07227> that say <0559> (8802), Who will shew <07200> (8686) us any good <02896>? LORD <03068>, lift thou up <05375> (8798) the light <0216> of thy countenance <06440> upon us.

7 Thou hast put <05414> (8804) gladness <08057> in my heart <03820>, more than in the time <06256> that their corn <01715> and their wine <08492> increased <07231> (8804).

1. Don't let the skeptics get to you, for there is much good in the world. If you remain faithful to God, he will show you good (v 6).

2. The result of trusting God will ultimately be joy because of his promises (v 7).

Confidence

B. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep ... (4:8).

8 I will both <03162> lay me down <07901> (8799) in peace <07965>, and sleep <03462> (8799): for thou, LORD <03068>, only <0910> makest me dwell <03427> (8686) in safety <0983>.

1. No matter what goes on around you, confidence in God (Php 4:6-7).

a. In my earlier years of preaching, I used to work myself up into stress, wondering if people liked my sermons, my studies, or if they liked me.

b. I have learned, no matter what happens, as long as I know I am living right, giving my best efforts to my sermon preparation etc., than I will leave the rest with God and get a good nights rest.

c. You will too when you have confidence in God.

Conclusion:

Anybody can grumble their way through life. Sure, things will go wrong. Things will break down. Things will bother us. But God is still on the throne, and ultimately. He will triumph and His will for us will be done.

Sources:

World Wide view of god and david
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