Well, good evening. Thank you. All right. All right. Well, first off, it's great to be back with you. It's gone, I think, all in all, actually 42 days. So 35 of those were spent in North Carolina at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. So if you don't know, I'm a chaplain candidate. So it's like an internship for chaplaincy. And it was a great opportunity to serve, to serve as a missionary to our military forces, specifically the Air Force. So thank you. Thank you for all the ways in which you have provided support and prayer. I see there was a piano moved. Thankfully, my wife waited till I left before doing that. And so car issues, and I know just any number of ways in which many people have helped out, and certainly your prayer support. So I appreciate that. This morning, or this evening, we're in Psalm 4. So take your Bibles and turn to Psalm 4, where we'll be reading and covering the entirety of the Psalm. The reality is that I'm sure each one of you tonight is either coming out of, in the midst of, or going into a time of distress. So you're coming out of, you're in the midst of, or you're going into a time of distress. And so some of you might think, well, wow, great, thanks for asking me to pick her up tonight. Quite the pessimistic attitude, but I think it's one in which is actually realistic and perhaps better said, it's biblical. I'd actually be doing you, I think, a disservice if I suggested that you'll never experience trials, temptations, distresses. And certainly, there's any number of televangelists who'd be willing to sort of tickle your ears, right, in that way to tell you that. But we actually have better news, and that is that throughout Scripture, we do see that. We do see that we experience trials, temptations, and distresses. And yet, despite that, God provides to us many assurances during those times. He provides assurances during times of distress. And so in Psalm 4, this is one of those texts that really strengthens the believer during those difficult times. And so my hope and my prayer is that wherever you are tonight, right, in sort of that cycle, if you will, that you'll be encouraged by the assurances that we'll see in this text. So let's read Psalm 4, verses 1 through 8. It says, answer me when I call, O God, of my righteousness. You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself. The Lord hears when I call to him. Be angry and do not sin. Ponder in your own hearts on your beds and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord. You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. in peace i will both lie down and sleep for you alone oh lord make me dwell in safety so i want to do tonight is first just give an overview of of psalm 4 um to kind of just walk you through high level let's let's see the forest for itself and then we'll spend the rest of our time then going through section by section and considering what god has for us tonight in this psalm So as I look at this psalm, Psalm 4, I see really four main sections, if you will, in the text. Certainly there's a number of ways in which you might look at it, you might outline the psalm, but what I see is four. And each section then provides an assurance for something that would have concerned David, what I'm gonna refer to as the antagonists, people who we come in conflict with, and just the community abroad. So there's any number of people who are present in this psalm, and certainly we place ourself in our own situation in this psalm. And so first what we see is that there's this assurance in verses one through two that God hears. So if you're taking notes, you might note, so verses one and two, we find assurance that God hears. So again, I'm just giving an overview and then we'll come back and look at it more specifically. But in here, David urgently and really emphatically calls on God to do a number of things. And the object of his concern seems to be those that we'll see in verse 2 who are wealthy. They're people of status. These antagonists, again it's all referred to them, they bring dishonor to David. And really the community, and I think it's fair to say also God, by their vanity, by their dishonesty. So second then, we see this, that there is assurance in verses three through five that God sanctifies. So we see assurance in verses three through five that God sanctifies. So sanctify, what does that mean? To set apart, to declare holy and purify. So David wants those listening to know that God has set apart the godly. And one implication of that then is this, that God hears David's prayer and anyone else who is known by God. This, of course, should be of great comfort to those who are identified as the godly, but should really be also one of great terror to the antagonists, right? Those who bring dishonor, those who come into conflict with the godly. That God, in fact, hears his people. That should bring terror to the antagonists. Another implication, then, is that the godly frustrated by these antagonists, and we'll talk more about that in a minute, are to live in such a way that is consistent with their status, their status as the godly. So David encourages these godly to not sin in their anger. Rather, they're to turn to the Lord in worship, worship that would please God. Certainly, worshiping God while sinning in anger would not bring honor to God. And so they need to set aside their anger, worship righteously, and trust the Lord. Well then third, there is assurance in verses six and seven that God blesses. So verses six and seven, assurance that God blesses. David says, there are many who ask, who will show us some good? Who will do this? Who will show us some good? So are these the antagonists? Are these the godly? Or are these just the doubting thoughts of David? I don't think it's clear, but regardless, these words are certainly nagging David, right? They're bothersome to him, these critical thoughts. So he responds by petitioning God for blessing. David's confidence is based on the joy he's already experienced by the Lord. It is a blessing that is greater than the grain or wine that the antagonists, these people we come into conflict with, that they possess. Well, as we kind of conclude this overview then, fourth and finally, there is assurance in verse eight that God secures. So in verse eight that God, assurance that God secures. So despite the antagonists, the critical or doubting voices David can rest easily knowing that God causes him to dwell in safety. It is the Lord who alone provides security. Unlike the wealthy who obtain material possessions through these crafty means, right, this vanity and dishonesty. And so then here the psalm comes full circle, recognizing the relief and distress that he, that David, has experienced. So assurance that God hears, assurance that God sanctifies, assurance that God blesses, and assurance that God secures. All of these really culminating in this singular idea that God provides assurances in times of distress. So when you're in a time of difficulty, a time of distress, God provides you a number of assurances. So let's spend the rest of our time then unpacking each one of these assurances and considering that how we can know the same relief that David knew. So when we're in times of distress, it might be that often we ask this question, does God hear? And does God actually, does he listen to me? Does he hear me? We want to know that God cares for us, and that is often most demonstrated by assurance that we have actually been heard. David seems to have really no lack of confidence in being heard. He makes three requests of God in verse 1. He says, be gracious to me and hear my prayer. I don't know about you, but I'm almost like startled by David's tone. It's like he's making these demands of God. I mean, our reverence for God might cause us to think that maybe David is almost being disrespectful. I mean, could you actually say that? Could you see yourself or hear yourself saying those same things to God? answer me when I call, be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. I think David, I don't think he's being disrespectful, but actually I think his words, they honor God by his confidence in God. And so his confidence, it's not in himself. David's confidence isn't in himself as though he has some type of authority. Instead, it's completely dependent upon God and his past dealings with David. So first, David identifies God as, he says, of my righteousness. This is the God who has taken a people, the Israelites, and made them a people of his own. He's made a covenant with him. They are made right with God by believing in him, apart from any of their own works. And so if you believed in Jesus Christ, then you too are part of a chosen people, God's very own possession. So you can cry out, the God of my righteousness. I think Hebrews 4.16 reflects the same attitude. It says, let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in a time of need. So it's not disrespectful to boldly claim the promises of God on the basis of His character and the work on your behalf. God is pleased when His people honor Him by crying out to Him. in those times of distress. Well, second, the basis, the second basis then for David's confidence is his past experiences, again, of the Lord's dealings. So David says, you have given me relief when I was in distress. Metaphorically, you might actually say of what David is saying here, this, when I was in a tight spot, you got me out. In a sense, that's what David is saying here. When in a tight spot, you got me out of it, God. So I would just encourage you, I would just ask you, can you think of a tight spot in your past in which God got you out? A time in which, if you think about it metaphorically, a tight spot in which it almost seemed to suffocate you, to remove the air in which you breathe. And yet, in a moment, or perhaps over a period of time, God got you out of that tight spot. He delivered you from the situation. He showed himself to be faithful. And again, the God of your righteousness. And so when you wonder, does God hear? I think it's really critical that you reflect on past experiences of God's deliverance. Your assurance that God hears is based again on who he is and what he has done for you. Before leaving this section, this first section of 4, we should probably say something of David's situation. The reality is not entirely clear. Verse 2 suggests that there are people of power, of wealth, who are bringing dishonor. It says they use futile and dishonest means of obtaining their possessions. Whatever the specifics, they are antagonists. And we all know people who are antagonistic. with whom we come into conflict with, perhaps of no doing of our own, but entirely of their choosing. People who have the means to do real harm to us, right? People of stature, people of wealth, people of power, who can actually do harm, perhaps in your neighborhood, perhaps your work, school. Well, the ambiguity, right? The fact that this isn't entirely clear makes it probably really easy for you just to place your own situation into this psalm, to be encouraged that God hears you in your distress, even in a situation in which you're outnumbered, a situation in which you're outpowered. Well, then we come to verses three through five, and we find the answer to another question which you might ask in a time of distress. How should I respond to my enemies? How should I respond to these antagonists? Of course, the way a believer responds in these situations is very different from how any other person might respond. So if you recall, I mentioned that in these verses we find assurance that God sanctifies. That is, God has set apart his people, he's declared them holy, and he's working for their good to make them more in the image of Jesus. And that is really something to boast about. That's something really to get excited about. I think it's why we read in Jeremiah 9, this says, thus says the Lord, let not the wise man boast in his wisdom. Let not the mighty man boast in his might. Let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord. And just kind of as a side note, I mean, I don't know if you're familiar with the passage, or you certainly just heard it maybe for the first time, but isn't it interesting the order in which that is placed? I don't think it's an accident, So, let not the wise man boast in his wisdom. And maybe if someone has something to boast about, it would be his wisdom. But then what comes second? It's the strength. Let not the mighty man boast in his might. What's last? Let not the rich man boast in his riches. So, I think just as we think about this, what does society tend to honor most? Wealth. I mean, not exclusively, but that is the last thing in this order. So let not men, women boast in these things, but boast in the fact that they know the Lord. So I think David is boasting about the status of those who are set apart. And again, that should terrify the antagonists. That should terrify the people in which we come into conflict with, who mean to do us harm. That we are the people of God. That if you have placed your faith in Christ, and you identify as a brother or sister in this family, this community, a child of God, He has set us apart. And He hears us in our times of distress. This should give us great comfort as we identify with God. And again, as I mentioned earlier, it pleases God when we cry out to Him. It delights the Lord when we boast in Him. There is, however, a certain way to respond to the stress in the midst of antagonists as one who is godly. So first we see in verse four that there is a caution in how we respond in our anger. We appreciate the Psalms for their rawness, for their transparency. And who hasn't experienced anger towards an antagonist, someone you've come into conflict with? We've all been there. Someone who has maybe even sought your demise, right? And again, who has the power, the wealth, the authority to actually achieve it? Who hasn't experienced anger in those situations? And sometimes what we find then is as believers perhaps, and maybe often unbelievers, that come alongside us in those times of distress, they try to encourage us maybe by saying, you know, you have every right to be angry with them. They had no right to treat you in that way. And you probably appreciate those words to some extent, right? You agree, right? They had no right. They had no right to treat me that way. Well, unlike that advice or that encouragement, David acknowledges the feeling, right? So I don't want to take away from the fact that we actually experience anger, and it's not an anger that necessarily leads to sin, right? I think that's what David's saying. So in your anger, yes, you may experience this anger towards these people with whom you come into conflict with. So I don't want to take that away and say you can't even experience anger, as though there's no such thing as a righteous anger, right? But he says in that, do not sin. where he cautions us to be very careful, be very guarded about how we experience that anger. So what would it look like to sin in anger? Well, certainly sinning in anger could become hostility, right, in terms of physical hostility, maybe financial hostility in terms of you have an opportunity to take from that person in the material sense. Thankfully, that's probably unlikely. Probably what happens more often is that anger degenerates into sin through gossip, through slander. But instead, God wants us to give really no opportunity to the devil by putting away our anger really as quickly as possible. To not fester, to not let that sit, to not dwell, and to meditate on that. Well, how is it that you might do that? How is it that you might move beyond the anger and certainly avoid sin? Well, a few suggestions. Certainly one would include, don't escalate the situation through your own actions. I think that's what we see then when it says, ponder in your own hearts on your beds and be silent. I think it really is just simply saying, carefully consider the situation and refrain from any action that would cause you to sin. And certainly Paul is referring to these same words in Ephesians 4, 26, where he emphasizes also the need to quickly resolve this type of anger. And so we should pray for God's help. to release any desire for revenge, that we would seek to take out our anger on that person, and rather that we would look to Him who we will trust to do what is right, to do what is just. The second way the godly then are to respond to distress as we see here, is that we are to worship God in a manner consistent with our status as God's people. What do I mean by that? Well, consider what Jesus said about conflict and worship in the Sermon on the Mount. You recall that Jesus commanded reconciliation really before acts of worship. He elevated anger that was accompanied by a desire to do damage or destroy to that of murder. So the point is, if you have an abiding anger for someone or some group, really, you will find it difficult and perhaps impossible to worship. But God offers hope, again, by hearing your cries for deliverance as one who is set apart for himself as the godly. You don't need to hold on to anger, you don't need to seek revenge, because again, you can put your trust in the Lord who will do what is right, who will do what is just. And this assurance that God sanctifies should encourage your heart and give you an understanding that the Spirit of God, who indwells you, then empowers you to live a life of peace. Moving on to the third section, verses six through seven. Here we might ask this question at a time of distress. We might ask, what should I do with critical voices? What should I do with critical voices? So David says, there are many who say, who will show us some good? Again, we're not sure who is saying this. It's possible that they're the same people who might tell you that you're justifying your anger and right to seek revenge. I mean, after all, who else is going to look after you? Who's going to show you some good unless you take it into your own hands? Again, we're not sure, but the critical voice is no doubt, it's present in this distress. However, by the end of verse seven, there is assurance that God blesses. Well, how should we respond to these critical voices? Well, first we turn to the Lord in prayer, asking for his blessing. David prayed metaphorically that the Lord would smile. that the Lord would smile upon the people. Certainly, this is echoing that famous priestly prayer that we see in Numbers, where it says, may the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. It's a beautiful prayer, but we could probably summarize it as this, God bless us. God bless us. When we want to see some good, we don't turn to people pleasers who will simply say only what they think you want to hear. We don't even turn first necessarily to brothers and sisters in Christ, though we should. We first turn to God in prayer, petitioning his blessing. Second, we respond to these critical voices by really, again, reflecting on God's past goodness towards us. David recognized that the Lord had already put an abundance of joy in his heart. He doesn't tell us exactly what he recalled that caused him to rejoice in this manner. What would you recall? If you're in a time of distress, What is it that you would recall as God's past dealing with you in which he showed himself to be the God of my righteousness, the God who is faithful, the God who has set you apart, who identifies you as the godly? What is it that you would recall? Certainly all of us who proclaim the name of Christ can rejoice at the new life we've received from God. That is, we can all turn to that. If you're struggling in the moment to think about something that God has done for you, I would encourage you to begin there, in being reconciled to God through Christ. I trust you've all known God's provisions, providing on a daily basis all that you need. And so we are commended to recall the acts of God in times of distress. Well, David also says this, he says, that the joy he has experienced is more than they have when their grain and wine abound. Now, I think they is like referring back to those antagonists that we met in verse two. If you recall, it's these men that they're individuals, right, of wealth and power. So it makes sense that they're the ones with abounding grain and wine. Now, what do we recall about these people? Well, they love vain words and they seek after lies. And so it seems like that David is saying in a sense, you know, all you doubters, right, all you who cast this critical voice of who will show us some good, don't look to those individuals as models of what it means to be blessed. look to the Lord who provides, and he provides abundantly, more abundantly. And I think it's also in a sense saying that the means in which we receive matter, right? So expediency isn't godliness. After all, there's a way that seems right to a man, but it's, and is the way of death. In times of distress, surrounded by antagonists and critical voices, do not despair in doing what is right. What you have received from the Lord is more than those who have received their deceit. And you can have assurance that God blesses. Well, the last section then is simply verse eight. And as we've been doing, I think we could ask here, again, in a time of distress, we might ask this, does God give peace? Does God give peace? And you can easily imagine that this prayer is one that is happening in the evening, right? So there was the petition to ponder in your own hearts on your beds. And here in verse eight, we read, in peace, I will both lie down and sleep. And it's kind of interesting when you think about this, right? So often, it's actually the night that can be most difficult for someone who's in a time of distress. You are left alone in the darkness, in the silence, with only your thoughts. There's not the work, the school, at home, the hobby, whatever it might be, exercise to really distract your mind. And maybe the only other time as difficult is the morning when you have to get up and do it all over again. So evenings and mornings, but especially maybe evenings can be very difficult for someone who's in a time of distress. But God, God doesn't want you to dread the night. He wants you to experience peace and security and to be able to say with David, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. And so the reason you can dwell in safety is because the Lord provides the assurance of security. It's not dependent on circumstances. but on the one who is known as the God of my righteousness." The antagonist, right? The people in which you come into conflict with. They can do nothing that can prevent you from saying, I dwell in safety. And so when our eyes are fixated on God, we can have this amazing peace, even in times of distress. So verse eight is just this fitting conclusion to this Psalm. We have assurance that God hears our prayers in times of stress. We have assurance that God sanctifies the godly in times of distress. We have assurance that God blesses us in times of stress. And so perhaps the culmination of all these assurances provides assurance that God secures in times of distress. We may not know the outcome of the situation. I would not pretend to stand here and tell you in any given situation what the outcome will be. But we can know that peace is still attainable because the Lord is the one who makes it possible. Well, so as I said at the beginning, you are either coming out of, in the midst of, or going into a time of distress. And so if you're coming out of, I hope your experience will prove to be one where you can look back and say, you have given me relief when I was in distress. that you will reflect on your experiences to really grow your affections for God and to be an instrument of God to comfort those who are in the time of distress. If you're in the midst of, I hope you find comfort in these assurances that regardless of your circumstances, you can proclaim that the Lord hears you when you call. I pray that the Spirit of God would make real to you the words of this Psalm, and that in fact you can lie down and you can sleep in peace. And if you're entering into, I hope Psalm 4 has given to you an opportunity really to meditate on the goodness of God, who is your righteousness. That you rejoice in the joy that the Lord has given to you, which will certainly be your comfort. and that you put your trust in the Lord now, even before a time of distress. May God's spirit transform us through his word. Would you pray with me? Father God, we thank you for this evening. We thank you for The summer and the Psalms, these Wednesday evenings that we've had, just a sweet time of fellowship, of worship, and to be exposed to your word. Father, this is, it's not a light matter to be in a time of distress. And no, we are encouraged, Lord. And we pray for your encouragement through your word, by your spirit, as we have been, as we've seen that you hear us. that you sanctify, that you bless, that you secure. Lord, I do pray for anyone who is in the midst of distress right now, that these words would touch them in a special way, that they would know your peace, they would know your comfort. And then as a community, that we would be your instruments to comfort others, as we have experienced your goodness, to communicate that goodness, to recall past dealings of your faithfulness. and how you have given us great joy, more joy than certainly those who do vain things, who seek after material possessions and deceit. We pray all these things in Jesus' name. Amen.