It’s Sunday. The Lord’s day. The best day of the week, full of opportunities for us to remember, praise, and proclaim together, “Our God reigns!”
Most of us need a little help getting our hearts prepared to appreciate and participate in the blessings of the Lord’s day, especially if we’ve had a hectic or hard week. What about you? Could your heart use a little bit of kindling for worship? If so, Psalm 4 is up to the challenge.
Psalm 4:6 reminds us that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?”
That observation is 3,000 years old. For a long, long time men and women have struggled with where to find the “good” in a world full of “distress,” “shame,” “vain words,” and “lies” (4:1-2). “Who will show us some good?”
Psalm 4:3 reminds us of what we know. We know because our Creator and King has told us so throughout his written revelation to mankind.
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself.
We’ve experienced different things this past week. Different jobs, obligations, and opportunities. Differing challenges lie ahead of us in the week to come. But, as “the godly” gather on this, the Lord’s day, this is what they know: “I am set apart for God.” Make that personal today: “I am his, and he is mine.”
When this worship-kindling begins to catch fire in our hearts, confidence ignites.
The LORD hears when I call to him. (4:3)
Think about that. The LORD hears our songs today. He hears the prayers led in our assemblies, and he hears the unspoken cry of every individual heart. That confidence ought to fuel your determination to personally answer the call of Psalm 4:5:
Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the LORD.
We are gathering in his name, proclaiming his worthiness, serving for the sake of his glory.
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD! (4:6)
When the fire kindled by Psalm 4 is really burning in our hearts, light for a new day is provided. “You have put more joy in my heart,” David writes, than those who do not know God “have when their grain and wine abound” (4:7). The fire kindled on the best day of the week provides warmth for the rest of the week.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (4:8)
Let’s give him everything we have to give today.