Reflections on the Psalms

Reflections on the Psalms

PSALM 4

 

One of the most important characteristics of David was that he was a man of prayer. Day and night, David was aware of the presence of his God, and he gained strength from that awareness. A good example of this is found in Psalm 4. This Psalm may have been written at night just prior to David going to bed.

Verse 1 shows David’s attitude as he began to present his prayer to God. Although we may not use the same words, the thoughts should be just the same when we address God the Father in prayer. As David begins his petition to God, it is clear that he is dealing with serious problems. Yet, there is no hint of pity or resentfulness. Instead, his first thoughts were directed toward those that were marching against him. David was God's anointed. As such, it was the Lord's will that the people follow him - not fight against him. David knew that, in spite of those against him, the Lord would hear him and answer his prayer.

In the next two verses, David may have directed his thoughts to others that may be with him. We know from 1 Kings that there were many times where David and his followers were out numbered and fugitives. It would be easy for some to become discouraged, tired, and angry. But David wrote, "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord." That principle

would echo down through the centuries to Paul's words to the church in Ephesus, "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold".

The lesson of David's words are equally valid today. Yet, how often, when we are faced with a real problem, do we heed the words of David? How often do we go to bed while we are filled with distress and anger? Do we sleep well? Do we wake up rested? No.

Then, the next day, we try to deal with our problems ALONE, and the last thing we will experience will be peace and rest. David understood that. Many years of his life were spent as a fugitive. Yet, he could find rest! How?

David wrote . . ."offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in_ the Lord". In time of trial, the time we spend just before going to bed can be very important for us. A few moments or minutes need to be used to consider the day, and involve the Lord in helping us. In prayer, we can ask for help from the Lord. But do we REALLY believe that the Lord helps us? One way we can know the answer to this question is to examine our practice of prayer.

How often do you pray? Where does prayer fit into your thoughts in dealing with problems? If prayer is not one of the FIRST things that you do, then you are either robbing yourself of one of the greatest sources of aid available, or you do not really believe that prayer works. Think on these things! Think about David's dependence on the Lord, and compare it to your dependence upon the Lord.

Yes, the time before we prepare to go to sleep at night can be a time to ask for help. We can simply ask for peace to have a good night's rest. Many of David's problems were still present the next morning, and the same holds true for us. But, the Lord will help us to have a restful night. That alone can help us to meet and solve the problems we face.

Finally, in the evening we can get our priorities straight once again. We can pause to count our blessings, and turn the worry over to the Lord. He can handle it - we usually cannot.

We don't know all the thoughts that went through David's mind as he wrote this Psalm. But in spite of how tired he was, in spite of how much danger he was in, he remembered to trust and praise the Lord. We have the PROMISE of eternal life, because we are now children of God! How much more should we trust and praise our Father in Heaven?

 In the last three verses, David wrote, “Many, LORD, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’ Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Here are the words of a man of faith. Here are the words that every Christian should be able to echo, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." Praise God that we can also say that as His Children!

Jim Shelburn

 

Say a prayer or Pray?

“SAY” A PRAYER?? – OR, “PRAY”?

Prayer is an appeal to God.  Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, said “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven’ …” (Matthew 6:9).  The apostle Paul wrote of his concern for the salvation of his Jewish brethren with these words, Romans 10:2, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.”  Paul was not “saying a prayer”; he was pouring out his heart’s desire, for them; he was praying.

        In Scripture, you look in vain for someone offering to “say a prayer”.  They might say, as did Simon (Acts 8:24) “Pray for me …”; or, Paul telling the Colossians that “we pray for you” (Colossians 1:3) – but always their requests are framed in their words that express their heart’s desire.  “Saying a prayer” misses the point: it is a performance; the “heart’s desire” is not necessarily in view.   This, incidentally, should be “taken to heart” by all as we pray: we are talking to God, not just engaging in a recital.

“Saying a prayer” is the language not only of Roman Catholics, but of those unconsciously influenced by such.  It is regrettable that the “language of Ashdod”                       continues to mislead us.  Don’t “say a prayer”; “PRAY without ceasing”.                                                   

  Pat                                                                                                                                      

Slander

 SLANDER

Slander means a false attribution of bad attitude or evil deed to another.  The person being thus maligned may not even be aware of it, until someone disputes it and comes to the victim for reassurance.  It is an act of consummate cowardice, and it proceeds sometimes from lips that would be least expected to utter such.

In company with Jesus there were two or three women named Mary.  One of them, Mary Magdalene, is described in Luke 8:3 as Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.  We know nothing more about her.

This being the case, it is amazing that so prevalent a canard as that Mary had been an immoral woman in the past has managed to gain any traction with anyone claiming to respect the Scriptures as the Word of God; but we hear it often.  Sometimes it is in context of a casual, throw-away remark; but whenever and however it is expressed, it is slanderous.  Roman Catholicism has thrown its considerable weight behind the slander by establishing an “order” of reformed prostitutes, and naming it The Order Of St. Magdalen; the “term originated in the mistaken notion that Mary Magdalen, of whom we read in the Gospel, was a woman of bad character; a notion which is still very prevalent …” (McLintock And Strong, Volume 5, page 532)