https://esv.literalword.com/?q=psalm+4
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 28 January 2024:
Psalm 4:3 – But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
“No one is more precious in the Lord’s sight than a godly person. God is pleased whenever He finds someone who strives to live a righteous life and bring glory to Him. God sets such people apart in a special place in His heart. They are always kept before Him, and He stands ready to respond to their faintest cries for help.
Sin separates us from God, causing Him to close His ears to our praying. It is futile for us to pray when we are knowingly practicing sin. But the opposite is also true. God chooses to honor us by listening to our every cry when we are living a godly life. An abiding security comes with living a blameless life. The righteous person never has to wonder whether God has listened to his prayer (1 John 5:14-15). The godly person has confidence that God has indeed heard her prayer and will immediately respond in all of His power.
It is exhilarating to be set apart by God, knowing that God observes your consecrated life and is pleased with what He sees. What a tremendous privilege to know that your life holds a special place in God’s heart! The world may not accord any special status to you, but you will know that you are cherished by God. The world continues to find new ways to honor people, but even the world’s most extravagant accolades are pitiful compared to the unfathomable blessing of holding a special place in the heart of God!” (Henry T. Blackaby)
Psalm 4:4 – Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
There is a right way to handle anger, and it involves silence, meditation, prayer, worship, and trusting in the Lord to handle consequences and outcomes. Trusting in the Lord means remaining confident that we don’t need to contradict God’s will and word to protect our interests or those of others about whom we care. What does God say? This link provides several verses for consideration: https://www.openbible.info/topics/anger. To be angry without sin, obey Jesus:
– Matthew 5:22-26; 43-48 — “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny…. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
– Luke 6:27-36 — “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Psalm 4:6 – There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
All goodness comes from the Lord. People will always let you down, but God never will.
Psalm 4:8 – In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
You will only find peace in Jesus. Peace on Earth only becomes a reality when Jesus is loved, trusted, and obeyed. When you trust in Jesus with all your heart, you will have peace in any situation. You will be able to rest peacefully in the back of the boat while it is being tossed about by the storms and while everyone else says, “We perish.”
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 28 January 2024: Pay close attention to how you respond to maltreatment and insults, not just how you outwardly respond, but how you respond internally, how your spirit, your mood and your thoughts are affected. Pray that God will teach you how to truly love your offenders from the depths of your heart because of the love you have for Him.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 