Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

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.