Is Psalms one of your favorite books in the Bible? What do you love in the book of Psalms? Most people love the book of Psalms because of David’s Prayers, praises, and devotions. I love the book of Pslams because of the lessons it contains and how it displays the role of Christ in our lives.
Psalm 4 is written by David, and The Passion Translation Bible titles it as a Melody of David. This Psalm is like a song. It comes after Psalm 3, written by David, after being forced to flee from his son Absalom. You can read my devotion on Psalm 3 :Devotion: Psalm3
Chapter 4, David starts by praising God for who He is in his life, mentioning that God is his righteousness and Champion. He ends by affirming the confidence He has in God that makes Him sleep in peace, and He lives unafraid.
Camp here with me as we break down this Psalm with the help of the Holy Spirit.
God my righteousness.
David acknowledges that righteousness comes from God and not by his deeds. When Christ came down on earth, He left all Godly privileges and depended on God. He tells the Pharisees that he only does what He sees His Father do.
As believers, we must solemnly depend on God’s righteousness. We gained God’s justice and forgiveness by Christ’s death and resurrection; Romans 4:25. What a glory to depend on God, and Christ showed us how to do it; by obeying and doing God’s will.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer
David pleads to God have mercy on him and hear his prayer. We need to humble ourselves as we go to our Father to talk to Him. No respectful child talks to his father anyhow: shouting or murmuring or nagging but speaks humbly.
God has made us His child through Christ Jesus, and we need to learn to speak to our Father respectfully but with confidence. I love how Jesus would pray; like in John 11:42-43, He starts His prayer with “Thank you Father that you have heard me and I know You always hear me.” Wow! What confidence. We must speak to God humbly like David but with an assurance that He listens to us as Christ did.
Know that God has set apart for Himself him who is godly
In verses 2-3, David speaks to individuals and asks how long people will keep living in shame and love worthlessness. He answers himself that God has set apart the godly for Himself. The world today is full of evil. Things seem to be moving from worse to worst. Families are crumbling, murder, corruption, and many more evil things. Nevertheless, God still has His people set apart for His Glory. Jesus came down to earth to save humanity, and it will be vain if there are no remnants for God.
In addition, we need to know that the godly are set apart for God, not for themselves. We are not here to live for ourselves; we are here for God’s purpose. Christ prayed in John 17 that God might be in us and glorified through us. God is being celebrated in our lives. We carry the glory of God. The question we need to ask ourselves is; is God being promoted in me? Does the world see us differently?
For example, Christ’s life would depict a difference until people had to question His identity. Is He not the son of Joseph? Are these not His siblings? Is He not the carpenter’s son from Nazareth? We need to emulate Christ in our lives by being unique from the rest with one focus, glorifying God.
Be angry, and do not sin.
The Psalmist now pauses a challenge to us. We are to be angry though, in our anger we need to avoid sin. How are we to do so? By meditation. The Psalmist is calling us to be calm when we are making decisions. Being angry means, we need to take action but with moderation.
There is a saying that goes, “The bad things happen because good people are silent.” Believers need to learn to take action, speak out, and show the world direction but be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Brethren, instead of murmuring and complaining all the time, we need to start taking action in the areas we see gaps.
Today’s world needs ICT gurus, Doctors, Teachers, Accountants, scientists, writers, politicians, psychologists, that put God first before their profession. People who will not fear to speak out because they have the righteousness of God. We are God’s people set apart for His Glory; do not fear to take your place. Occupy that space until Christ comes again. Raise to be the next Mark Zuckerberg and make the tech invention while carrying God’s anointing in you.
I will lie down in peace and sleep.
Finally, The Psalmist ends his song by affirming the safety he has in God. Knowing who we are and whose we are is our strength in every season. Jesus knew how to operate from the position of His identity. Before starting His ministry in Luke 3:22, He was baptized by John, and a voice from heaven made a declaration; “You are my Beloved Son; in You am well pleased.” With this word, Jesus got all the recommendation and affirmation He needed. Whichever challenge He went through in His ministry, He would remember His Father’s words and move on. When He faced objections and rejection, He still got His Father’s voice telling Him who He was.
God has made us His sons and the Holy Spirit together with our spirits, testifies so in Romans 8:16. This should be our daily guide as we carry out our daily duties. A prince is always a prince, no matter what other people call him. We are God’s sons, and that should be our identity giving us peace. We grow our identity in Christ when we spend time with God our Father through Devotional time.
In conclusion, believers, we are encouraged to operate from our point of identity in Christ Jesus. David knew his place in God, and that gave in peace. Consider functioning from the position of your authority in Christ as God’s son.
Nice one dear
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