SF847 - How To Pray When Your World Is Falling Apart - 4 of 21 THE LYRICS OF LIFE (Psalm 4)
Psalm 4
Introduction
Have you ever felt as if your entire world was falling apart?
Have you ever felt like the little Dutch Boy who stuck his finger in the dike. The only thing is the dike has sprung more leaks than you have fingers.
The setting
David is still fleeing Absalom. By this time, Absalom has occupied David’s throne in Jerusalem.
It appears that everything and everyone is against David. Even some of his staunchest supporters are beginning to doubt him.
But David remains faithful to God.
In this Psalm, we are given to privilege to look into David’s prayer life.
We learn some important lessons on “How we should pray when our world is falling apart.”
1A. We are to Pray Earnestly (4:1)
1B. Based on the righteousness of God (4:1a)
The phrase, “O God of my righteousness,” is unique in Scripture. Here, David lays hold of God as the only one who could defend his righteous cause. Not just anyone can pray this prayer…
Psalm 24:3-5 (NKJV) 3Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
We must be Christ-like in our lifestyle (24:4a)
Ø Clean hands – outward life, our actions
Ø Clean heart – inward life, our motives
We must be Christ-like in our longings (24:4b)
“idol” = a false god, anything that takes God’s place
We must be Christ-like in our language (24:4c)
Ø God is looking for people who are trustworthy and dependable
2B. Based on the faithfulness of God (4:1b)
More literally, this should read: “In my straitness [narrow confines] you have made room for me.”
David is obviously recalling the many times he had been hemmed in on all sides by circumstances or enemies, and yet God had delivered him, bringing him into a large place.
On the basis of such past faithfulness, he was confident of an answer to his prayer.
3B. Based on the graciousness of God (4:1c)
Psalm 23:6 (NKJV) 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
2A. We are to Pray Confidently (4:2-6)
1B. Concerning our foes (4:2-3)
We must identify our enemy (4:2)
Ø They try to bring God’s glory to shame
Ø They are preoccupied with worthless (useless) things.
Ø They seek out lies.
Ø They are motivated by Satan
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ø They can be defeated only by God.
James 4:7 (NKJV) 7Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
We must appropriate our resources (4:3)
Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
2B. Concerning our friends (4:4-6)
We must restrain our tempers (4a)
Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV) 26“Be angry, and do not sin…
We must rethink our plans (4b)
We must reaffirm our commitment (5)
We must remove our doubt (6)
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) 5…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
3A. We are to Pray Joyfully (4:7-8)
1B. Because God is the source of our supply (4:7)
This verse is a reference to the annual harvest festival. Absalom was enjoying the rewards that should have been David’s, but David had a greater source of joy than material possessions.
Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) 11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
True joy and contentment can only be found in a personal, growing relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
2B. Because God is the source of our security (4:8)
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Application
Morning and Evening, (Spurgeon, Charles H.)
Psalm 104:16 (NASB) 16The trees of the LORD drink their fill, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
Lebanon's cedars are emblematic of the Christian, in that they owe their planting entirely to the Lord. This is quite true of every child of God. He is not man-planted, nor self-planted, but God-planted.
Moreover, the cedars of Lebanon are not dependent upon man for their watering; they stand on the lofty rock, unmoistened by human irrigation; and yet our heavenly Father supplieth them. Thus it is with the Christian who has learned to live by faith. He is independent of man, even in temporal things; for his continued maintenance he looks to the Lord his God, and to him alone.
Again, the cedars of Lebanon are not protected by any mortal power. They owe nothing to man for their preservation from stormy wind and tempest. It is precisely the same with the Christian. He is not a hot-house plant, sheltered from temptation; he stands in the most exposed position; he has no shelter, no protection, except this, that the broad wings of the eternal God always cover the cedars which he himself has planted. Like cedars, believers are full of sap, having vitality enough to be evergreen, even amid winter's snows.
Lastly, the flourishing and majestic condition of the cedar is to the praise of God only. In the believer there is nothing that can magnify man; he is planted, nourished, and protected by the Lord's own hand, and to him let all the glory be ascribed.
Have you been planted by Lord?
When trials come remember to pray…
Earnestly
Confidently
Joyfully
How To Pray When Your World Is Falling Apart
The Lyrics of Life – Part 4 of 21
Sunday, August 15, 1999 - Psalm 4
1A. We are to Pray Earnestly (4:1)
1B. Based on the righteousness of God (4:1a)
Psalm 24:3-5 (NKJV) 3Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
We must be Christ-like in our ___________________ (24:4a)
We must be Christ-like in our ___________________ (24:4b)
We must be Christ-like in our ___________________ (24:4c)
2B. Based on the ___________________ of God (4:1b)
3B. Based on the graciousness of God (4:1c)
Psalm 23:6 (NKJV) 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
2A. We are to Pray Confidently (4:2-6)
1B. Concerning our ______________________ (4:2-3)
We must ______________ our ______________ (4:2)
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
James 4:7 (NKJV) 7Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
We must appropriate our ___________________ (4:3)
Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
2B. Concerning our ______________________ (4:4-6)
We must restrain our ______________________ (4a)
Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV) 26“Be angry, and do not sin…
We must rethink our ______________________ (4b)
We must reaffirm our _______________________ (5)
We must remove our ________________________ (6)
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) 5…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
3A. We are to Pray ________________________ (4:7-8)
1B. Because God is the source of our ______________ (4:7)
Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) 11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2B. Because God is the source of our ______________ (4:8)
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.