Seize the Moment – Day 1088

Prayer in the Evening!

Psalm 4

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, March 10.

 

As we pray through Psalm 4, we participate in David’s experience with injustice, suffering, and oppression. We all need to learn how to pray when we, too, face hardships. Notice how David’s prayer transitions from individual lament to confidence in God. It starts with the prayers of a sleepless night in verse 2, “O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.” Have you ever struggled to stop thinking about something or someone? Have you ever wondered how long it would take you to fall asleep? We can easily become restless in times of hardship.

 

But God… He has given us a way of escape that moves us from ruminating on the world’s injustices to focusing on God’s faithfulness. Psalm 4:8 concludes with this delightful promise of rest, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” What a beautiful transformation this evening prayer offers us – from restlessness to rest! This prayer takes us from focusing on the actions of other people, which leads to us feeling insecure and fearful, to the security and acceptance we find in God alone; He is our shield (Psalm 3:3). This prayer moves us from the worries of the world to the worthiness of God!

 

What’s the key to praying this psalm? It is found in verse 4, “Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” Just like Psalm 46:10, this psalm invites us into the promise of stillness – “Cease striving [“Be still” (NIV)] and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

 

Seize the moment and pray Psalm 4, meditating upon the promises of God – Trust in God’s sufficient sovereignty and you will sleep peacefully under the shield of His presence. Selah.

 

God bless you!

 

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.

 
 

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