by Robin McKinley
Narrated by Artificial Intellingience – Andrew
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You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him. Psalm 4:3
Verse one is an attention-getter aimed at the Lord. He pleaded for the One who considers him innocent to hear his prayer.
Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1
Then, when we get to verse 3, our verse for today, he says there is one thing you can be sure of. “The Lord set apart the godly for Himself.“ Then he gave all his readers, including us, some sound advice.
Don‘t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Psalm 4:4
When we allow anger to control us, we quickly make irrational decisions. We make choices that usually aren‘t good for us and those we are involved with. Paul went a step further to tell us how bad anger is.
And “don‘t sin by letting anger control you.“ Don‘t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27
In the Old Testament, God‘s people offered sacrifices. In the New Testament, we present offerings. David told us in verse 5 how to bring them to the Lord.
Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord. Psalm 4:5
God Will Show His People Good Times
In verse 6 David went on to quote a question many people ask. Who will show us better times?“ He continued with his response of, “Let your face smile on us, Lord.“
We live in a society where people are constantly looking for a good time. The majority of them would put serving the Lord at the bottom of their list. That, however, is not where David would put it.
You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
Psalm 4:7
He‘s saying the world and all its riches can‘t offer the joy that comes from the Lord. David wrote in another Psalm these words.
Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:6-7
The last verse of Psalm 4 is the icing on the cake. You see, if you go to bed at night with anger in your heart, you can‘t enjoy what he says in verse 8.
God’s Perfect Peace
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8
We will have perfect peace when we put our total trust in the Lord, a peace that passes all understanding.
God protected Daniel when he was put into the lion‘s den. He will also protect you from the lion roaming to and fro across the earth.
Lord, thank you for this Psalm Thank you for the exciting benefits of being set apart to you, Lord. Grant us your joy and peace as we lay all anger aside.
About the Author:
Robin, with his wife Cindy, became children’s evangelists early in their ministry. They ministered to children full time for 8 years. During that time they developed several children’s stories which were told with visuals and puppets.
Robin recently turned two of those stories into children’s books. One is called “The Contest,” a book about the Fruit of the Spirit, and the other is called “Twas the Night of Christmas”. He has also authored 5 volumes of devotional books called, 3 Minutes Alone with God. Each entry is a product of his personal biblical Journaling.
These and his other writings are available on his website called Christian Perspectives at www.ramckinley.com. When you visit this site, you can sign-up for newly written devotions as they come out which will be emailed to you.
Presently Robin is the pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Pottstown, PA. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He and his wife make their home in Birdsboro, Pa. He also serves as the president of the local ministerium. He and Cindy have two married sons and four grandchildren.