Psalm 4-6 -- Much To Learn

Psalm 4:

My commentary said, “David knew he didn’t deserve any help from the Lord, but he prayed on the basis of God’s mercy and favor … David gave six instructions when we find ourselves getting angry:

1)      Tremble before the Lord – believers who fear the Lord need not fear anything else.

2)      Don’t sin

3)      Search you own hearts

4)      Be still – be sorry for the things you say in your heart.

5)      Offer right sacrifices

6)      Trust the Lord

Psalm 5 – Where David prays for God to handle his enemies

My commentary said that John the Baptist (Matt 3) and Jesus (Matt 23) lifted up such requests as well, yet many don’t like think kind of praying.  C.S. Lewis said, “We don’t hate sin enough to get upset at the wickedness and godlessness around us” … we’ve gotten accustomed to the darkness.

This psalm teaches us to prepare to meet the Lord and to seek to please Him.  He prayed for guidance, justice, and God’s blessing.  “David came to the Lord with … awe … For believers to enter into the presence of God to worship and pray, it cost Jesus His life, and to treat this privilege lightly is to cheapen that sacrifice.”

Psalm 6:

The Pain of Discipline – “Sometimes God chastens us in order to deal with our disobedience, but at other times, He chastens us to prepare us for what lies ahead.  David asks, ‘How long?’  The answer to the question is, ‘I will discipline you until you learn the lesson I want you to learn and are equipped for the work I want you to do … what God seeks is submission… The Lord may not do what we ask, when we want it, but He will do what needs to be done and help us glorify His name.  The question we should ask isn’t, ‘When will I get out of this?’ but ‘What can I get out of this?’”

Father, I’ve lately found myself crying out like David does in these verses.  Help me to trust You and to see Your face and to learn what I need to learn from my circumstances.  Be sovereign in my life!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford