Today’s Reading:
Psalm 4:1-8 (v. 5)
ANSWER ME when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have freed me when I was hemmed in and relieved me when I was in distress; Be gracious to me and hear [and respond to] my prayer. O sons of men, how long will my honour and glory be [turned into] shame? How long will you [my enemies] love worthless (vain, futile) things and seek deception and lies? But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and dealt wonderfully with] the godly man [the one of honourable character and moral courage – the one who does right]. The Lord hears and responds when I call to Him. Tremble [with anger or fear], and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still {reflect on your sin and repent of your rebellion]. [Eph. 4:26]. Offer righteous sacrifices; Trust [confidently] in the Lord. Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!” Lift the light of your face upon us, O Lord. You have put joy in my heart; More than [others know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust.”
(Psalm 4:1-8 AMPV)
David, the author of Psalm 4 is rejoicing in the protection and peace of God considering his inadequacies. Two propositions that could have prompted the psalm were brought forward. 1) That it was written at a time when he was pleading with his enemies to reconsider their support of his rebellious son, Absalom. 2) That it was written as a prayer of relief from calamity such as drought (v. 4).
Whichever is the case, the lesson we can take from this is his boldness and confidence that no matter how serious our sins are, when we humble ourselves and call upon God, He will answer us. Most times we feel too shy to approach the throne of God because of a particular sin or because He has not answered our previous prayer because we have come short of His standard of holy living. When we feel this way, our problem is that God may not answer our prayer as we expected. We should remember that at salvation, our sins have been forgiven. Going back to Him for forgiveness each time our conscience convicts us of sin, is a sign of respect and humility towards God. God loves us and has set all believers apart for His glory and purposes. We should always look at our problems in the light of God’s power, and not at the shadow of our problems.
‘Offer the sacrifices of righteousness … indicates sacrifices offered with the right attitude of mind and moral (v. 5). The assurance of God comes to those who put their trust in Him. God is their true source of security in our unsecured world (v. 8). David in Psalm 51:16-17 says, “My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.” This means that although the OT system of sacrifice is not rejected, the law does not prescribe sacrifices for murder, or the sin of adultery which David committed. For these types of presumptuous sins, the sinner could only wrap himself or herself around the mercy of God (2 Sam. 12:13-14). Because the Lord only accept and forgives those who are honest with Him; who are humble before Him; and who recognise their dependence on His grace. Our offering of an attitude of submission and obedience is more important to God than the ceremony of sacrifices of blood and burnt offerings. (I Sam. 15:22-23). God requires our obedience and our praise before our gift offering (Heb. 13:15) – complete obedience and heartfelt praise. We cannot please God by our outward actions – no matter how good it is. We must have godly sorrow for sin.
Do you truly desire to stop the sin you keep committing and at the same time keep asking for forgiveness? Be determined within yourself to hate this sin, focus your gaze on Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to help you. God does not consider the long list of things we promise never to do again. He wants us to be broken, and change our attitude, character and mind toward sin. This is what God wants and it is delightful and pleasing to Him.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: Father, thank you for Jesus Christ. Forgive my sins, take control of my heart and lead me in your righteous path by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord. If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Thank You, O Lord because it is only You who makes me lie down in peace, to sleep, and makes me dwell in safety, in Jesus' name.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies; blot out my transgressions, in Jesus' name.
Let the blood of Jesus cleanse me thoroughly from my iniquity, and my sin, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, do not hide Your face from my sins, but blot out all my iniquities, and fuel my love for You, in Jesus' name.
O God of my righteousness, hear me when I call, You have always relieved me in my distress, Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer, in Jesus' name.
Holy Spirit, fill me to overflow with Your power, fire, enablement, anointing and authority to do God’s will and shorn sin, in Jesus' name.
Our Father, visit Christian homes with Your love and mercy and unite the husband, the wife and the children to build a god-fearing family to the glory of Your name, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, rescue the perishing, care for the dying, release those in prison unjustly, save those in captivity, deliver those in bondage, and transform their lives, in Jesus' name.
We commit the leaders of the church to Your care, Lord, and grant them the fear of You in all their decisions, in Jesus' name.
We tear apart and command the fire of God upon every strange altar, and shrine strengthens our leaders in places of authority to squander government resources, and use their position to steal, and amass wealth for themselves, in Jesus' name.
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