The Care of God In Sleepless Nights

Introduction:

·   Sleepless Nights...

PSALM 4 IS FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EVER HAD A SLEEPLESS NIGHT.

I) The Privilege of Calling on God in Distress (vs. 1)

A.    When We Find Ourselves in distress…

                                              i.     Almost specific, but not quite: (Asc.)

1.     By David…but the precise details are fuzzy

2.     However, this helps us use this prayer even three millennia later!

                                             ii.     An experiential Need: (vs. 1)

1.     The language of the Psalms is experiential first, didactic second

2.     SO: though God always answers…the Psalmist still cries out urgently!

B.    …We may approach God in confidence

                                               i.     A bold appeal to Character (vs. 1b)

1.     God is righteous, thus the Psalmist insists God act rightly

2.     God has acted in the past, thus David can trust God will act in the present

                                             ii.     A pattern for Prayer today

1.     We may express boldness to God that may feel uneasy to us

2.     We may trust that God graciously answers our prayers (they aren’t formalities)

WHAT’S THE REASON FOR DAVID’S PRAYER – WHY MIGHT WE NEED TO CRY OUT?

II) The Reason for Our Distress

A.    The Reasons for Distress

                                               i.         Suffering seems unending (vs. 2)

1.     Most of us can suffer if we know there is a deadline

2.     “How long?” is a bold cry – enough is enough!

3.     EXAMPLE: “How long…will the cancer plague me? Be lonely? Etc.

                                             ii.         Glory is turned to shame (vs. 2)

1.     Glory = what matters à being ridiculed: SO: godliness is ridiculed

2.     EXAMPLE: Trying to forgive instead of getting even à mocked

B.    The Reaction to Those who Cause Distress (vv. 3-5)

                                               i.         Handle your anger with Care (vs. 4)

1.     The Psalmist appeals to his enemies (which might help us too)

2.     Anger isn’t an invalid, unchristian emotion; it’s a godly response

3.     BUT: What do you do with your anger? Control your temper!

                                             ii.         Seek the gift of Forgiveness (vs. 5)

1.     Practice self-examination à Seek forgiveness from God!

2.     APPLICATION: Slepless nights…we assume we are victim, BUT, have you caused trouble?

HOW DOES GOD RESPOND TO US WHEN WE CRY OUT IN DISTRESS?

III)  The Response from God when We call In Distress (vv. 6-8)

A.  God Mirrors His Pleasure to Us (vs. 6)

                                               i.         Confidence in God’s Smile:

1.     Though some doubt, the Psalmist trusts that Gods face will smile again

2.     EXAMPLE: “Mirrored pleasure” gives a child confidence and security

                                             ii.         God’s smile rests upon us (vs. 7)

1.     Not only do we receive God’s forgiveness, but his pleasure!

2.     God’s smile is joy greater than financial success, pleasure (vs. 7)

3.     We may never know “how long” but God will never turn away his smile

4.     “Glory to shame?” We may persevere in obedience, through trial, knowing that God looks down on us, and his so please d with us!

B.    God Provides us With Ultimate “safety” that allows for true Rest

                                               i.         Jesus trusted in God’s answer to prayer

1.     As Jesus faced his darkest hour, he cried out for God to answer

2.     The angels ministered to Jesus so he persisted in obedience

                                             ii.         Jesus secured God’s favor for us by losing God’s smile

1.     BUT: Jesus wasn’t spared adversity – but his glory, the greatest glory – was turned to the same of the cross

2.     On the cross, God turned his face, the light of his smile, away from Jesus…so that it will never turn away from you.

Transition:

Conclusion

Think back to night time – you can’t sleep. What to do? Marinate your heart in these promises!