YOU ALONE make me lie down in safety

Psalm 4 leader’s point of view Personification of people. Welfare. Representative of concerns. Bring comfort. Outline following verses. 1. Introduction 2. 4 stages. Situation (2) Leader’s position (3) Advice (4-5) Turning point (6-7) 3. Closure. Rest in Lord (8) Verse by verse 1 Prayer. • Personal. Answer when I call • God of my righteousness. Justice. • Relieved in distress. Make room. Closed in. • Be gracious. Num. 6:25 • Hear my prayer. Remembrance of previous answers. I know the Lord will make a way. 2 Situation • Sons of men • Honor becomes reproach • Love what is worthless • Aim at deception. Half-truth. Minds trained in greed. 2 Peter 2:14 • People attack leaders. Assume selfish motives. • Envy • Victims/victimizers. Tongue. 3 confidence • The godly are set apart. Position in Christ. • Not a victim but a treasured one • Integrity 4-5 counsel • Tremble and do not sin. Fear, anger. Wrath of man. Ephesians 4:26. • Meditate on bed. God gives direction. In place of wrath is thoughtfulness. Not plotting revenge but seeking solution. Meows into purrs. • Be still • Sacrifices of righteousness. Carry on. Not immobilized • Trust in Lord. Ps 37:3 6-7 Turning point • Who will show us good? Hopelessness. Failure to trust God. • Lift up light of countenance. Lev 6:25 • Divine favor answers the question “who?” • Gladness in heart. Joy.joy. is enough. • More than grain and wine in abundance. Revelries. • Not in carousing and drunkenness. (Romans 13:13) • We speak a language they don’t understand. 8 conclusion • Peace and sleep. Vs meditating on bed • Rewarded and comforted • You make me dwell in safety • Confidence. Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom,     nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail     and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold     and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;     I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength;     he makes my feet like the deer's;     he makes me tread on my high places. Challenge to us • Don’t sin • Think. Meditate • Be still. Not rash • Do good • Trust in God.