“Don’t Be Anxious” Psalm 4 09/20/2009 Dane Boyles

“Don’t Be Anxious” In Psalm 4 David offers one of the greatest gifts that prayer has to offer. 1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. (Psalms 4:1)

Psalms 4:2-3 2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah 3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.

Psalms 4:4-5 4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.

Psalms 4:6-7 6 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.

Psalms 4:8 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

“Don’t Be Anxious” The Historical Crisis It is clear the king is facing a monumental crisis that calls into question his spiritual leadership of the nation.

“Don’t Be Anxious” There are clues within the Psalm that can help us piece together the specifics of David’s distress. 6 “Who will show us any good?” (Psalms 4:6)

“Don’t Be Anxious” The question is, What is the “good” that they are looking for? 12 Indeed, the Lord will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce. (Psa. 85:12)

Jeremiah 5:24 24 They do not say to themselves, “Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.”

Jeremiah 5:25 25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good.

1 Kings 8:35 35 “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them,

1 Kings 8:36 36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

“Don’t Be Anxious” When God answered the prayers of his king, not only would the people be healed but the special relationship that the king had with God as his anointed would be confirmed.

“Don’t Be Anxious” In David’s case, however, it seems as if his prayers had fallen on deaf ears. What does God’s servant-leader do with this kind of stress? 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. (Matt. 27:41)

Matthew 27:42 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

Matthew 27:43-44 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

“Don’t Be Anxious” In the age of the Spirit, we believe in God’s power; we believe in prayer; we believe the LORD will show up. Perhaps “waiting” on God is the most difficult spiritual discipline to master.

“Don’t Be Anxious” A David’s Address and Petition to God (1) B David’s Rebuke to the Faithless (2-3) X Call to Repentance (4-5) B’ David’s Reflection for the Faithful (6-7) A’ David’s Confidence and Praise to God (8)

“Don’t Be Anxious” David’s Address and Petition to God. 1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4:1)

“Don’t Be Anxious” He is admittedly overwhelmed and self-consumed. But it is just as important that David go nowhere else to address his pain.

“Don’t Be Anxious” David’s Rebuke to the Faithless. 2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah 3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. (Psa. 4:2-3)

“Don’t Be Anxious” Because of their inability to wait on God to answer David’s prayers for rain, they gave up on God and sought gods they could see and manipulate. 3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; (Psa. 4:3)

“Don’t Be Anxious” This means believers become a public stage to display God’s power and presence.

“Don’t Be Anxious” The Call to Repentance. 4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. (Psa. 4:4-5)

“Don’t Be Anxious” With three pairs of imperatives, David now leads his defectors step by step into the process of repentance. Whatever sacrifice they offer, it has significance to God only if it arises from their complete trust in the Lord.

“Don’t Be Anxious” Thus David has brought his erring friends full circle in three steps: STOP, LISTEN, YIELD.

“Don’t Be Anxious” David’s Reflection to the Faithful. 6 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. (Psalm 4:1-8)

“Don’t Be Anxious” Once more, David prays on their behalf, but instead of a concluding “Amen,” he offers them a personal reflection. Mysteriously, in that “dark night of the soul,” God’s presence penetrated deeper into his soul with more joy than when his blessings were visibly present.

“Don’t Be Anxious” David’s Confidence and Praise to God. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

“Don’t Be Anxious” Having made his final petition on behalf of the nation, no alcohol and no pills are needed. 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isa. 26:3).

“Don’t Be Anxious” The most amazing thing that this Psalm proclaims is that we don’t have to withdraw from ordinary life and flee to a monastery to experience the presence of God.

“Don’t Be Anxious” Rather, the key is to draw near to God in the midst of the pain of rejection and the conflict of confrontation that life brings our way. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil. 4:6)

Psalms 4:7-8 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:7-8)

“Don’t Be Anxious” Psalm 4 09/20/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles