Gene Cunningham - October 26, 2003
Psalm 4 - Confidence in God
Psalm 3 has David fleeing from Absalom anticipating the rejection of Christ. Psalm 4 presents confidence in God. Psa 4:1-8 He runs to the aid of afflicted believers(1Pe 3:12, Heb 4:16, Heb 13:6). David's righteousness comes from God. God deals with us and our assurance rests on the basis of His imputed righteousness (Rom 5:1-3). Confidence comes from experiencing His grace in the past (Psa 4:1) ":... you have enlarged me when I was in distress [in the past]...". Prayer is the proper response to affliction. Key to prayer is confidence in God. Recognizing the tactics of unbelievers which indicate Satan's strategies (Psa 4:2-5). There are always people wanting to tear down not build up (Psa 4:2). We are set apart or "saints" by position, not practice (Psa 4:3, Heb 10:10-14). We must respond by spiritual, not natural grounds (Psa 4:4-5). Don't let natural anger lead you into sin (Psa 4:4, Eph 4:26). "Righteous indignation" is natural but not from God (Jam 1:20). We must review God's word and commit the outcome to Him "... meditate in your own heart upon your bed and be still." (Psa 4:4, 1Pe 2:23). Praise God for His sure and certain deliverance. "Sacrifices of righteousness" are gratitude and thanksgiving (Psa 4:5, Heb 13:15, 1Pe 5:7). Don't reason with the doubters, but respond in prayer (Psa 4:6-8, 1Sa 30:3-8). Rejoicing in the Lord "gladness in the heart" displays to doubters that God will work it out (Psa 4:7, 1Pe 1:5-9). God's faithfulness works with our faith (Psa 3:3, Psa 4:8, Act 12:6). God always deals with us with Grace; we need to reach out and take it by faith.
Scripture References: Hebrews 4:16, Acts 12:6, Psalms 4:3, Psalms 4:4, Psalms 4:1-8, Psalms 4:8, Psalms 4:2, James 1:20, Psalms 3:3, Psalms 4:2-5, Ephesians 4:26, Psalms 4:7, Psalms 4:1, Psalms 4:4, Psalms 4:6-8, Romans 5:1-3, Psalms 4:4-5, Hebrews 13:15, Hebrews 13:6, Hebrews 10:10-14, Psalms 4:5
From Series: "Psalms - 2001"
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