April 13, 2023 – Psalm 4

“Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!” You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.” Psalm 4

Do you ever have trouble sleeping at night? I have trouble every night — from either things that roll around in my brain, or the aches and pains of being older, it is hard to get a good night’s sleep. The things that keep me awake are varied: How high would the electric bill be this month? Who did I miss visiting this month? What are my parents going to do with their current situation? How silly of me to let such trite things rob me of sleep — and yet in the middle of the night, they do not seem so trite.

Verse 8 of the 4th Psalm should be our goal: “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Whatever concerns we have that keep us awake at night, we should spend as much time in prayer as we do in worry. My suggestion to you is this: Pray to G-d today, that you will remember every day to take all of your difficulties to G-d. Then, go to sleep in peace trusting that they are now in the hands of G-d.

Prayer: let us pray…

O God, our merciful Father in heaven, fill our hearts with patience under the cross, strengthen our faith, and so govern us that we give offense to none, neither in word nor deed. Grant us also this day of comfort and a night of restful sleep that we need for body and soul. Amen.

Pastor Dave