PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy.” (Psalm 4:6-7)
In this psalm David gives us insight into how he deals with stress and struggle.
In vv.1,6-8 David talks to the Lord; in vv.2-5 he talks to himself and others.
I recall a counselor talking about the importance of healthy ‘self-talk’.
Most people (all?) talk to themselves, either out loud or in their minds.
But David shows us how we can turn our self-talk towards God and others.
Too often we let the voices in our head go unchecked, to speak without correction.
David uses his self-talk to depend on the Lord, and to denounce the false voices around him.
He challenges the negative voices that question God’s goodness and blessing.
And he warns his critics to get straight with God too, to trust and obey God.
Most of all he reaffirms his hope and dependence on the Lord, that he is there.
He pleads for the light and joy of God’s presence to shine on and fill them.
And he tells himself – healthy self-talk – that he will lie in and sleep in peace.
Another word for self-talk is prayer, when my soul talks life through with the Lord.
Is this something you do, and do you find rest for your soul in talking with Jesus?
PRAYER
Lord, I do not write it out in psalms, but my journal is where I talk things through with you. Whatever others say, I say what I hear you saying to me: you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety!
David knows where his help comes from. Like David, I too must confess putting my confidence in the wrong places from time to time. Like David, God has not given up on me and I believe He never will (Thank you Lord!). I pray as David did: Let the light of your face shine on us. HS lead me I pray: “Let the light of your face shine on us (me).”
Talking with the Lord, early in the morning and late at night, and in between. And when I wake up during the night, talking with God gives me peace. He is my surety. He is my Rock. It is He who continues to lead and guide me and gives me peace. Safe in my Saviour’s arms, a child of the King. May that hope and light shine through me to those I meet and greet. In times like these, He is my only resting place.
God himself is present:
let us now adore him
and with awe appear before him.
God is in his temple,
all within keep silence,
humbly kneel in deepest rev’rence.
He alone on his throne
is our God and Savior;
praise his name forever!