DCLM Daily Manna Sunday 28 April 2024

TOPIC: At Peace with God

TEXT:  Psalm 4:1-8 (KJV) 
4 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

² O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

³ But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

⁴ Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

⁵ Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

⁶ There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

⁷ Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

⁸ I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

KEY VERSE
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8

DCLM Daily Manna Sunday 28 April 2024 MESSAGE

In a sermon, Mark Roper’s story of Submarine-Style Peace illustrates the psalmist’s central message in this passage. “Several years ago, a submarine was being tested and had to remain submerged for many hours. When it returned to the harbor, the captain was asked, “How did the terrible storm last night affect you?” The officer looked at him in surprise and exclaimed, “Storm? We didn’t even know there was one!” The sub had been so far beneath the surface that it had reached the area known to sailors as “the cushion of the sea.” Although the ocean may be whipped into huge waves by high winds, the waters below are never stirred.”

In our text, David had many concerns. He was bothered by the naysayers’ conclusion that God had abandoned him. More distressing to him was that people were turning God’s glory into shame, loving vanity, and seeking after leasing (lies, falsehood and deceptive things). While the absolute truth of God’s will, way, and word were rejected, men were celebrating life’s vanities. These and many more unsettling issues of life flooded David’s heart.

READ DCLM Daily Manna Saturday 27 April 2024 – Responsibility Versus Accountability

However, this anointed king of Israel encouraged himself in the Lord rather than allow these human follies to unsettle him. Instead of meditating on problems, he was determined to praise God for His goodness towards him as an individual, rejoicing that God would hear him whenever he called. This is how to have peace in this distressing world.

Life’s troubles are weights God does not expect us to carry on our shoulders. To wade through the flood of life troubles, we must look away from the world and its troubles, pray to God and trust Him implicitly.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Look unto Jesus, the Spring of man’s joy, and be at peace with God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 3-5