Psalm 4: Plans, Shmans ...

Last week when we caught up with David we learned he was fleeing for his life from his son, Absalom, who was trying to de-thrown David and start a coup (see 2 Kings 15 and 16). Yet in this time of distress, King David cried out to God and trusted that God would deliver him. Not much has changed in this Psalm. David is still in under great deal of stress and he continues to cry out to God (and even tries to offer his "enemies" some seriously good advice in this Psalm). We know from his story in 2 Kings that people were trying to ruin David's name and reputation! So, insert yourself into the Psalm here ... when have you been so desperate for God to intervene in your life? Have you ever felt like God wasn't listening to you, not hearing or answering your prayers in the way and time you want them answered? Were you being made fun of? Was someone gossiping about you? Did you feel like your parents were being unreasonable about something? Was some you knew sick and/or dying and not getting better? Who or what has tried to steal your joy? In this piece of Scripture, King David seems to be begging God to listen to him. Most of us can identify and know just how David is feeling – he is completely desperate for God to intervene and make it all better! But instead of complaining about his un-joyous situation, David then does something that is a good lesson for us to remember when we feel God isn't hearing us! He gets humble! First, David affirms that he knows God is in charge and that there is a plan! This example can be hard for us to swallow when we are sure God isn’t working fast enough or answering in ways we want! Nevertheless, it would do us good to always acknowledge and remember that God DOES have a plan and while it might not be how we would do it, the plan ultimately rocks! It can be as simple as saying in our prayers – God here is what I want or hope for but you are in charge and I’ll go with your plan! Or – God I just don’t get what you are doing in my life and I just need Your help to understand Your plan! Second, David makes a commitment that most of us don’t regularly consider. King David decides not to sin by letting his hurt and anger toward his enemies and a God who seems not to care get to him. It is really easy for us not to make that commitment. But then our hurt and anger take over. You see, the hurt and anger we store up inside will eventually consume us and take over our lives, completely separating us from God, if we don’t do something about it and if we don’t admit we aren’t in control! The bottom line? King David sets a great example for us all to remain joyful even when our situations aren’t full of joy! King David sends us a great reminder that God is in control and it’s not our about our timeline or way or doing things, but God’s! Amen?!