Sermon for 9/18/22 "Who Can We Turn To?" 16 Minutes

Psalm 4

This morning I'll be reading Psalm 4 verses 1 through 8. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Psalm 4:1-8 This psalm is one that hopefully after looking at these verses this morning,,, we will answer the question,,, "Who Can We Turn To?" Psalm 4 (HCSB) For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic psalm. 1 Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. 2 How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah 3 Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. 4 Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah 5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord. 6 Many are saying, “Who can show us anything good?” Look on us with favor, Lord. 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety. The word of God for the people of God,,, thanks be to God! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ----------------------------------------------------------- Last Sunday we looked at Psalm 14 and seen that the “fool” is one that believes in his heart that there is no God.

When we have those that don’t believe in God it causes us problems.

David wrote that psalm during a troubling time for Israel.

A time when God looked down from heaven,,, to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God. 3 All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.

But David knew that the day will come when the people that didn’t believe in God would have to answer for their mistakes.

We are witnesses of these things as well.

When people get confused about God and use religion to justify their mistakes,,, we must remember that one day they will answer for those times that they used violence as a way to get what they want.

We want their punishment to come today,,, we are human after all,,, but God gives them chances to turn their life around just like He did for each one of us.

It helps when we look back at the terrible things that are going on around us,,, to know that one day,,, they will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,,, and at His name,,, every knee shall bow,,, and every tongue confess,,, and they will answer for those times,,, unless they turn from their wicked ways,,, just as those of Israel did,,, time after time.

We’ve gone through a lot of hard,,, tough times,,, but to know that these psalms exist to help us in our faith,,, to give us the word that we need,,, to continue forward,,, no matter what trial we are going through at the time,,, that’s a comforting thought.

And one that David wanted everyone to remember going forward.

Hopefully they will help us to remember that,,, no matter how much someone professes that God doesn’t exist,,, the day will come when they will see the error of their ways,,, and regret their actions at that time.

And they will help us to understand that even when it seems unlikely,,, God “is” in control,,, we just need to keep believing and living as God would have us to do.

Because we have our own set of “Today's Fools” as well!

They might not be as outspoken,,, but the way that they live their lives seem to say that there is no God!

And they will answer for their mistakes,,, just like those of David’s time!

This morning we will look at these verses in Psalm 4 and see how they help us in our walk with God this week.

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My study Bible says the ascription “a psalm of David” used here, and with many other psalms, is literally “for David” or “to David.”

The term may refer to authorship,,, but can also refer to usage; that is, the “Davidic” psalms are for the use of the Judean kings in the Davidic dynasty (or,,, actually in this case,,, the Levitical singers performing in his name).

The psalms as a whole are generalized; -- the situations they describe could apply to David himself,,, to succeeding rulers,,, or to any worshiper and servant of the Lord.

Which means that they can also apply to us today.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 1 says: 1 Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

One of my commentaries said that this could have been written by David during or about the time that he was running and hiding from his son Absalom.

David is remembering that God had answered his prayers in the past,,, so he feels free to ask God to hear him again.

We have that same opportunity,,, the knowledge that God will answer and help us when we call,,, because of times in the past that He has helped us already,,, or we have seen Him help others,,, and,,, we can read and study the times in the Bible when He has answered prayers for many!

All of these things should give us the confidence to cry out to God in times of need.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 2 and 3 say: 2 How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah 3 Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.

David’s name was being slandered,,, talked about,,, and lied about,,, and David asks them how long their mindless rage against him will continue, then reminds them that their efforts to overthrow him are futile because God Himself is on his side:

Zechariah 2:8 says: “The LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly.” Those who trust in the Lord are as “the apple of His eye”.

Their names are engraved on the palms of His hands,,, Isaiah 49:16.

So we know that God hears them when they call and hastens to their assistance.

David is thus anticipating Paul’s argument in Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who can be successfully against us?

Again,,, something that we tend to forget,,, but oh so true!

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 4 and 5 say: 4 Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah 5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord.

David’s enemies should think about what they are doing and let their anger cool down.

If they must be angry,,, it should be in a righteous cause.

The clause “Be angry and do not sin” is quoted in Ephesians 4:26,,, but there it is addressed to believers,,, reminding them that it is right to be angry in God’s cause,,, but never in one’s own.

Here in Psalm 4,,, of course,,, the words are spoken to wicked men to warn them against allowing their anger to turn into violent action.

As they lie awake in the quietness of the night hours,,, they should search their own hearts and consider the mistake they will make,,, by fighting against God.

Those thoughts should silence their slandering and make them change their wicked ways.

Then David counsels the wicked to combine practical righteousness with faith in the LORD when he tells them,,, Offer sacrifices in righteousness.

But this can only be done,,, by those who have put their trust in the LORD.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 6 says: 6 Many are saying, “Who can show us anything good?” Look on us with favor, Lord.

My commentary says,,, This verse probably refers to the many discontented people following David.

They would follow anyone who could offer them favors,,, or things of joy.

But now they are grumbling.

David’s answer to their question was a prayer for blessing similar to what we see in Numbers 6:24–26); that God would cause His face to shine on them,,, and,,, bestow His favor; like Psalm 31:16; 44:3; 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19; 119:135.

God would satisfy their complaint,,, as He had done,,, so often in Israel’s history.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 7 and 8 say: 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety.

The joy and contentment David experienced in trusting in the LORD was greater than any of the fun activities that are experienced during the harvest festivities.

Even in distress and away from the visible evidence of God’s goodness,,, he enjoyed peace and safety because of his trust in God.

True joy and peace should not rely on circumstances,,, but on God’s protection and provisions,,, knowing that God is watching out for us,,, and doing what’s best for us,,, even when we don’t see,,, or,,, understand!

----------------------------------------------------------- So we can see from these verses that David trusted God,,, no matter what he was going through,,, and we know from reading and studying the Bible that he went through so much his whole life.

It seems like he had trouble every time he turned around,,, either from mistakes that he made,,, or allowed to happen.

But,,, through it all,,, he never lost sight of the thing that truly mattered,,, and that was his trust and faith in God.

We must have that same type of faith and trust,,, David wasn’t perfect,,, I’ve said that before,,, but God knew what was in his heart,,, and answered his prayers because of his faith.

We must do the same.

God will be there for us,,, He is here for us,,, working every problem out for us,,, even when we don’t see any way that we can get out of it,,, He’s already at work on it!

But we must be like David,,, we must let our joy and happiness come from the Lord,,, not try to receive our pleasures from the world.

That will never bring us true joy!

Only God can do that!

We must remember that,,, each and every day of our life!

----------------------------------------------------------- So,,, hopefully,,, you can remember these verses and see that David trusted God,,, no matter what he was going through,,, and God was answering his prayer because of his faith.

So we must be able to do the same,,, keep our faith in God,,, no matter what we are going through,,, and trust God,,, to bring us through it!

Because God is,,, the only one,,, that we can turn to!

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