Monday, May 01, 2006

Psalm 4:1, 3-5, and 8: “The LORD has set apart the godly for himself”

Psalm 4:1, 3-5, and 8
Verse 1 – Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

Verse 3 – But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Verse 4 – Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Verse 5 – Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

Verse 8 – In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
This is my heart’s desire to the Lord for Lindsey and I, my family, and our ABF. The Lord hears when I and we call to Him! It’s a command to be angry and yet not sin in verse 4.

This next verse stuck out because when we were reading this we were in bed ready to go to sleep, “ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah.” How often have we just pondered on this fact…“know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him,” set your mind on this today, ponder this in your bed and be silent...wow. I know God has called me to be in His family; therefore, the LORD hears when I call to Him. This gives me great comfort!

I want to offer right sacrifices to God in verse 5…but what are right sacrifices to God? Here’s one answer, “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)” so as I am broken and hurting, and this is my sacrifice to God. In my brokenness I am trusting in the Lord. And verse 8 is the expression of my trust, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” I trust that God is my security, not where I work, not a house, not money, not my parents or other relationships, my health…rather God is my only trust, and security!

God is putting these things to the test in Lindsey and my life right now. God is giving us a heavy hand. It is a good thing yet it hurts, but it is also a sweet savor of goodness to know that our only trust is the trust we have in the Lord!

“Lord continue to refine our hearts, we know that for those who love You all things work together for good, for those who are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). Jesus, help us to see the good and help us to enjoy it!”

The LORD has set apart the godly for himself! Therefore, trust Him!

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