Resting In Peace

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-7-2022

Psalm 4

 

A.  I believe that everyone of us has suffered the horrors of a disquieted soul that produced a restless night.  A night when fear or distress would not let our minds “lay down” with us and sleep. 

 

1.  I heard from someone that “A clear conscience makes for a soft pillow,” and that is true but, you can have a clear conscience and still have trouble sleeping.  I hate those restless nights because sleep is invaluable to me!  I need my rest.

 

2.  At the drug store, Walmart, grocery store, or the local convenience store, you will find a myriad of pills and bottles dedicated to the cause of going to or staying asleep.  The world, like many physicians, treat the symptoms without finding the problems.  Thus, it is with all these “sleep aids” that are made available for a “small price.”

 

3.  Psalm 4 is God’s remedy for our sleep problem.  King David is still on the run from his son, Absalom, with a multitude of enemies seeking and mocking him.

 

B.  The whole of this Psalm is important because it gives the child of God a pattern to follow during hardship that allows the burdened heart to rest in peace.

 

C.  In David’s time of trouble, he gives some good advice to his enemies.

 

Verse 1:  David’s Help Comes From The Lord.

 

David’s Confidence in Prayer.  “Hear me when I cry … hear my prayer”  David was a man with confidence in prayer.

 

David’s Knowledge of God.  “God of my righteousness … have mercy upon me”  David was a man acquainted with the everlasting mercy of God.

 

David’s Encouragement in Trouble.  “thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress”  David had been here before when running from Saul and saw God’s blessing in the midst of the storm.

 

Verse 2-3: David’s Enemies Described.

 

Their Lost Condition: “O ye sons of men” vs. “God of my righteousness”

 

Their Wicked Association.  “How long will ye turn my glory into shame?”  David’s righteous throne established by God to the shame of Absalom’s insurrection.

 

Their Love of Lying.  “Seek after leasing”  David’s throne was established on truth while Absalom’s by lying.

 

Their Separation From God.  “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:”

Their Unanswered Prayers.  “the LORD will hear when I call unto him. 

 

Verses 4-5.  David’s Advice For His Adversaries.

 

Fear God.  “Stand in awe, and sin not”  David’s enemies knew that God had established his throne!

 

Understand Your Condition.  “commune with your own heart upon your bed”  While David sleeps in peace, they need to stay awake in conviction.

 

Hear God’s Voice.  “and be still. Selah.”  Selah – to meditate or reflect upon.

 

Trust The Lord.  “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord”  Repent of your evil deeds and put you saving faith in the Lord.

 

Verse 6-7.  David’s Confidence In His God.

 

The World Tries To Destroy Confidence.  “There be many that say, Who will shew us any good?”  They know nothing of the God of the righteous!

 

God Watches Over His Children.  “LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”  God’s eye is always upon the righteous as He guards their way.

 

God Gives A Gladness That The World Does Not Know.  “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increase.”  Spiritual gladness is not in the abundance of the things that we have, but in the eternal position that we have with God.

 

Verse 8.  David’s Resting In Peace.

 

David’s Mindset. “I will both lay me down in peace”  David will go to bed with his conscience clear and his heart encouraged in the Lord!  Nothing wrong with taking precautions:

 

Song of Solomon 3:7-8  Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.  (8)  They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

 

David’s Sleep.  “and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”  Resting in the peaceful knowledge that God alone will keep him safely through the night.

 

But Safety Is Of The Lord!  Sleep well, my child, and peace attend thee, all through the night!