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"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound."

~ Psalm 4:7

 

This psalm presents as a close companion with Psalm 3.  And I don’t just meaning sequentially, as in the number 4 follows the number 3, but I mean in content and theme.

In Ps. 3 David was writing about being in the midst of an intense, specific and temporary time of hostility and oppression.  And how he turned to the LORD in that time.  In Ps. 4 David is writing about being in the midst of the everyday ridicule, slander and oppression of being a faithful believer (v.2,6).  And how he turns to the LORD is quiet trust (v.5,8). 

Both psalms speak of the certainty of the LORD hearing our prayers (v.4), giving us relief (v.1) and pouring out his grace (v.1).  The LORD has set you apart (v.4) to peace and joy in him that is beyond any peace and joy that the things of this world could ever provide (v.7).  To be set apart is to be sanctified. 

You have a choice to make.  When the moments of intense hardship come, or when the daily grind of being an alien in this world wears you down, will you trust in the LORD?  I pray you will.  It then that you can follow the command of verse 4, “Be angry and do not sin”, and the command of verse 5, “Offer right sacrifices”.  Examples of those who have not offered right sacrifices include Cain (Genesis 4:1-16), King Saul (1 Samuel 13:1-14) and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). 

As Christians we offer our very selves as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to the LORD (Romans 12:1).  In the end a blessing of peace, the ability to lie down and sleep in safety (v.8).