#476 Stand in Awe in the Midst of Depression Psalm 4
In the midst of an extremely challenging day last week, dealing with depression and no energy…the LORD directed me to Psalm 4.
”Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.” NIV Psalm 4:1
1.. Honor His Workmanship: “You men, how long will my glory be mocked, will you love illusions, and have recourse to frauds? Psalm 4.2 Tanakh The LORD gave me a strong lesson in these verses. Verse 2 represents earthly thinking which we should guard against. This earthly thinking mocks the glory and honor of God’s people when they are in turmoil, and is attached to affection for illusion and empty thoughts and purposes. This earthly thinking pursues falsehood.
We need to make sure that we do not mock the honor of God’s people when they are in the middle of challenging times. Each one of us is His, and we need to guard against mocking ourselves and doubting our own relationship with the LORD in the face of challenge. This verse leads me to ask the LORD to reveal to me: What are the illusions that I am attached to? What false hoods am I pursing that need to be cast down? 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
2.. Know He hears and responds: “But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:3 Paraphrase: Know that the God who keeps his promises has set apart the one who is kind and devoted to Him for Himself. The God who keeps His promises will hear me when I call to Him.
“Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.” Psalm 4:4 NASB
So stand in awe, tremble, and do not sin or miss the mark in these patterns.
3..Be in awe before Him and quiet our illusions: Commune and evaluate your inner thoughts and affections when you lie down [when we make the time to not be distracted] and be still: quiet your own illusions. Seek His truth in the deepest thoughts. Psalm 51:6
4..Find a way to give: “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the LORD.” Psalm 4:5 NASB Offer sacrifices of righteousness. Ask Him What can I give to You in this moment, and GIVE. Offer these sacrifices and trust—run for refuge to the God who keeps His Covenant.
5..Pray for the power of His Truth to shine: “Many say, ‘O for good days.’ “ “Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD.” Psalm 4.6 Tanakh, NIV When we cannot see the good in the day we are here led to PRAY:
Faithful LORD, faithful to Your Word, lift up the Light of Truth to shine brightly in any darkness of doubt in our heart.
“You put joy in my heart when their grain and wine show increase.” Psalm 4.7 Tanakh
6..When we cannot see the good in a day, watch for the joy of answered prayer on behalf of others (and ourselves also!)
7..Rest!: I will lie down with a sense of being safe and I will sleep, for You only make me abide and remain in refuge, safety and security. Paraphrase of Psalm 4:8
In the midst of an extremely challenging day last week, dealing with depression and no energy…the LORD directed me to Psalm 4.
”Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.” NIV Psalm 4:1
1.. Honor His Workmanship: “You men, how long will my glory be mocked, will you love illusions, and have recourse to frauds? Psalm 4.2 Tanakh The LORD gave me a strong lesson in these verses. Verse 2 represents earthly thinking which we should guard against. This earthly thinking mocks the glory and honor of God’s people when they are in turmoil, and is attached to affection for illusion and empty thoughts and purposes. This earthly thinking pursues falsehood.
We need to make sure that we do not mock the honor of God’s people when they are in the middle of challenging times. Each one of us is His, and we need to guard against mocking ourselves and doubting our own relationship with the LORD in the face of challenge. This verse leads me to ask the LORD to reveal to me: What are the illusions that I am attached to? What false hoods am I pursing that need to be cast down? 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
2.. Know He hears and responds: “But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:3 Paraphrase: Know that the God who keeps his promises has set apart the one who is kind and devoted to Him for Himself. The God who keeps His promises will hear me when I call to Him.
“Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.” Psalm 4:4 NASB
So stand in awe, tremble, and do not sin or miss the mark in these patterns.
3..Be in awe before Him and quiet our illusions: Commune and evaluate your inner thoughts and affections when you lie down [when we make the time to not be distracted] and be still: quiet your own illusions. Seek His truth in the deepest thoughts. Psalm 51:6
4..Find a way to give: “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the LORD.” Psalm 4:5 NASB Offer sacrifices of righteousness. Ask Him What can I give to You in this moment, and GIVE. Offer these sacrifices and trust—run for refuge to the God who keeps His Covenant.
5..Pray for the power of His Truth to shine: “Many say, ‘O for good days.’ “ “Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD.” Psalm 4.6 Tanakh, NIV When we cannot see the good in the day we are here led to PRAY:
Faithful LORD, faithful to Your Word, lift up the Light of Truth to shine brightly in any darkness of doubt in our heart.
“You put joy in my heart when their grain and wine show increase.” Psalm 4.7 Tanakh
6..When we cannot see the good in a day, watch for the joy of answered prayer on behalf of others (and ourselves also!)
7..Rest!: I will lie down with a sense of being safe and I will sleep, for You only make me abide and remain in refuge, safety and security. Paraphrase of Psalm 4:8
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