Getting through a day!

Safe Evaluation

How often are we confronted by trying circumstance, we’re in a pinch, our backs are against the wall, and we wrap ourselves in carnal securities just so we can get some sleep? We never recognize the difference between stupid sleep and the repose that faith produces.

God can and will become confusing. the Bible will give to us a limited exegete of our experiences. In other words, the Bible will take us so far in our quest to understand and figure out life. There will be times when the good God you follow, doesn’t appear to be all that good.

Faith cannot be contingent on me understanding life. If this is the case, my moments of confusion will turn into moments of weakened faith.

I have three choices…

I can understand it all and rest in peace.

I can understand little and be consumed with anxiety

I can understand what God wants me to understand and trust Him for the rest.

Somethings God covers and conceals in order to cultivate confidence in Himself.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV

3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Keep a level head and just trust God!

“Our anxiety does not empty our tomorrows of it sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” — C H Spurgeon.

Setting/Context

It’s the second evening under the stars. Absalom’s forces have been allowed another twenty-four hours to pursue and attack, David’s back is against the wall. David is facing circumstances beyond his control, Psalms 4:2,4,6. David needs help!

The tone changes somewhere between Psalms 3 and Psalms 4. Psalms 3:1 David is so problem focused, consumed with everything wrong in his life. He must close his eyes to get a clear perspective from the Lord’s vantage point, Psalms 3:5.

Psalms 4:1 David goes from anxiety to calm assurance. A new day, a divine outlook, a renewed confidence. And yet at the end of a day of problems, pressures, pursuits, and persecutions, David finds himself relaxing, God’s got this! God is in control!!!

Don’t ever think you can just sleep your problems away!

Summary Sentence

David is in a pinch, turning to God for intervention he seeks to remain practical, keeping perspective, and in the end acknowledges that it was God who safely got him through another day.

Strategy of Study

Morning: To make prayer the first course of action when facing a new day. Only when we begin our day on our knees, will be able to stand in the face the pressures and problems of the day.

Through out the day: To maintain a level head, not permitting ourselves to be driven by out of control emotions. Understanding that something bigger is taking place than what I see in front of me.

Evening: Aim at pleasing God as we face new challenges each day.

Supposition

There are three steps every person must make to ensure we make it through another day.

I. In the morning resort to prayer, Psalms 4:1.

Not only dethroned, but forsaken by all men. David had as many enemies than he did friends. But he could look in one direction for help, and this he did.

Who do you turn to when faced with problems? Most of us turn to other people for some sort of sympathy. Who do we tell our problems to? We often turn to people in order to slander or smear people. David turned to God!

David makes a straightforward appeal to God. David doesn’t make it more than it is, blowing it out of proportion, trying to keep up an appearance. David does not have to pretend. David does not beat around the bush, kicking the can down the road; “You’ve done it before…DO IT AGAIN!!!” Philippians 4:6-7 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

David could not face the day, face his problems, until he honestly faced God. David talks to God about his problems, Psalms 4:1, before ever facing his problems, Psalms 4:2. (Note David’s honesty)

David never minimizes his situation, “Distress,” means, “trying circumstance.” David is in straights, in the Hebrew, “being in a tight place.” David’s back is against the wall. David is in a “tight corner” “tight spot or tough spot.”

David is honest about his own weaknesses. David does not always react to problems the right way. David can trust God to do the right thing, Psalms 4:1 God of my righteousness.

David is upfront with God, by a series requests, David needs help, Psalms 4:1 Answer me, do the right thing, give relief, I need grace, listen Lord! “Relief,” means, “an open place.” David needs some space, life is squeezing in on him! David’s back is against the wall, his problems have shoved him in corner. David needs a way out!

Davids prayer is balanced! David prays for help, but also himself.

David admits he will not handle this situation the right way, but God can; the God of my righteousness, Psalms 4:1 O God my righteousness.

David admits he has not acting the right way, he makes an appeal for mercy. David has not handled other situations right, he’s messed up too many times!!! Psalms 4:1 have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer! (KJV)

David admits he has not always done the right thing when it he found himself in a tight spot, cf. 2 Samuel 11, he desperately needs God’s help doing the right thing now!

II. Throughout the day remain practical, Psalms 4:2-5.

Just because I belong to the Lord, does not automatically mean I am exempt from having problems. What I must keep in mind, that nothing speaks louder to identity in Christ or being one of God’s people, than our attitudes, approaches and what we take away from problematic situations.

There are four principles to live by through out the day.

Expose unhealthy viewpoints to what God is doing, Psalms 4:2 How long.… Every person will find themself on the wrong track. We all say things, do things, cultivate toxic attitudes; even the best of us! David is talking to the leaders, “O, men,” “men of rank” “the shakers and movers,” even the most mature believers will find themselves in the ditch. The strongest of Christians even question and oppose the plan and purpose of God. We all become delusional, “vain words” and “lies,” we all buy into pipe dreams.

Embrace what you know to be certain, unquestionable, sure, when facing uncertainty, Psalms 4:3. Thank God for conclusively in our faith, things that cannot be disputed.

I belong to the Lord.

My problems will not defeat me, stand superior to me, intimidate me, or feel me with fear.

The Lord will hear me when I pray!

God will not leave His people stranded, struggling, or sinking in their problems.

God listens to His people when they pray, (How many times has we felt as if God is not listening!) cf. Psalms 65:2; Proverbs 15:29; 1 John 5:14.

Emotions must be kept in check, Psalms 4:4. Feelings and emotions can run high and become out of control. What do we do when tempers flare? Ephesians 4:26-27 “26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.”

“Tremble,” get control of yourself, bite your tongue, cf. James 3:6-8 “6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.”

Get alone with God and clear your head, “ponder in your own hearts on your beds and be silent.”

David needed to learn to listen to God, “commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” (“Be quiet” or more literal “shut up!”) cf. James 1:19 “19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;”

David must search his own heart, focus on what God is wanting to do in his life, Psalms 4:4.

Sleep on it before you react to it!

Earnestly seek God, Psalms 4:5. Do the right thing for the right reasons. Don’t become religious just so God will get you out of a bind. Don’t turn to God for a bail out! Don’t pick up God when life begins to fall apart. Right approach to God always stems from a heart that is right with God, Psalms 51:17 “17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

Individual pursuits must give way to what is right before the Lord.

Personal agendas must be set aside, Psalms 4:2 “worthless and lies,” God’s agenda becomes our agenda.

Don’t do what is easy, do what is right, cf. Romans 12:1-2.

Continued trust and committed service must be embraced despite full comprehension. Whether I understand it or not, trust and obey!!! Stay focused, remain faithful, don’t look for instant relief.

III. In the evening retain perspective, Psalms 4:6-8.

Everyone, from time to time, questions God’s goodness. Confusion, depression, despair, desperation, pain, problems, and pressures, often cause our view of God and the way He is involved in our lives become blurred and unclear. The honest truth, we just don’t understand, Psalms 4:6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? We all become spiritual pessimist! We all cultivate a defeatist mentality! “Is any good coming out of this!” “Where is God in all this?”

Numbers 6:24-26 “24 The Lord bless you, and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’” David prays again for God to remain God in all this! Be who God has been, Be who God is; faithful to His promises!

Perspective

David’s aim was to have the approval of God on his life. David wants the best and greatest God has to give to His people.

“Lift up the light of your face...” God shine upon your people.

David wants people to see how good God is even when life is full of complications.

Here is God’s goodness, Psalms 4:8 “8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.”

David is content with the joy of being right with the Lord over finding relief from his problems, Psalms 4:7.

David acknowledged there is joy in God’s presence, it’s greater than anything we could hope for. David would rather have the fullness of God, than the fullness of stuff in his life, Psalms 4:7.

Old Hymn

1 I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I'd rather be His than have riches untold;

I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands.

I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand

2 I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;

I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.

I'd rather be true to His holy name

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. David refuses to let these problems control his life, Psalms 4:8. We are not safe because we have dodged a bullet. Sleep is not satisfying because we've been relieved from unbearable pressures. Peace is not enjoyed because of the fulfillment of giving it my all. “For you alone…” Psalms 4:8, God alone has taken care of David, cf. 1 Peter 5:7.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

John 14:27 ESV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Conclusion: Declarations for a Day!

I will begin my day before God in honest prayer! I will not minimize nor maximize my problems, but honestly confess I will not always do the right thing when it comes to my problems.

I will keep a level head through out the day, I will pray the Spirit will expose unhealthy ways of thinking, ungodly attitudes, uncooperative to God’s working in my life, I will embrace what I know to be certain, my emotions will be kept in check, and I refuse to turn to God just for a way out!

At the end of the day I will confess with confidence that only God can get me through a day, and I will sleep knowing God has got tomorrow!