Hi, Friend!

Welcome back to our journey through the Book of Psalms. I apologize for fewer posts than usual this week. I had some internet struggles, but I seem to be up and running now. For today, we’ll return to Psalm 4 and examine verses 6-8.

Please take a moment to review Psalm 4 (CSB) below or in your preferred version.

For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A psalm of David. 

1Answer me when I call, 
God, who vindicates me. 
You freed me from affliction; 
be gracious to me and hear my prayer. 

2How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? 
How long will you love what is worthless 
and pursue a lie? Selah 
3Know that the Lord has set apart 
the faithful for himself; 
the Lord will hear when I call to him. 
4Be angry and do not sin; 
reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. Selah 
5Offer sacrifices in righteousness 
and trust in the Lord. 

6Many are asking, “Who can show us anything good?” 
Let the light of your face shine on us, Lord. 

7You have put more joy in my heart 
than they have when their grain and new wine abound. 
8I will both lie down and sleep in peace, 
for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.

On Monday, we discussed David’s instruction to his enemies in verses 2-5 to stop following their own way, the way of the world, and to give their lives to God, surrender their anger to Him and sin not. We also discussed that this is excellent advice for us too when we are angry. We too have the benefit of verse 3, knowing that God will hear us when we cry out to Him. Anger happens, but we don’t have to let our emotions lead us to sinful thinking, speaking, or living. We can cry out to God, tell Him our feelings and the reasons behind them, and then ask for His help in surrendering those feelings and replacing them with thoughts on what is true, noble, right, and pure (Phil. 4:8).

Moving into verses 6-8, we see that David is once again addressing God in prayer. As the King, David heard the cries of his people and he relayed them to God. After all, most of David’s enemies were not personal but political, other rulers and countries. The ill will they held for David, they held for David’s people. The greed that had for wealth wasn’t for David’s personal wealth, but for the wealth of the nation and the richness of the land. David’s enemies were his people’s enemies and, faced with opposition frequently, they asked, “Who can show us anything good?”.

And oh friend, centuries later, in this time, and in your place, wherever God has planted you, I’m sure you’ve heard people ask the same, “Who can show us anything good?” Maybe you ask that sometimes as well.

I know I certainly hear concerns all around me, from believers and unbelievers alike, and I have on more than one occasion asked God to just show me something good today because my eyes are seeing more bad than good.

What can you and I do when faced with such a question?

We can do just what David did:

Ask God to let the light of His face shine upon us.

And then, surrender ourselves to be a conduit of that light.

• Be a city on the hill. (Matthew 5:14)

• Let your light shine. (Matthew 5:16)

• Walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)

For like David, where but in God do we find true and lasting joy? How else do we sleep in peace but for our trust in God’s protection and provision?

When those around us ask, “Who can show us anything good?”, pray that God reveals His light and love to them and be ready to testify of God’s goodness and grace with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

If the Lord has redeemed you from the hand of the enemy, then, friend, it’s time to say so! The world needs the light God has bathed you in; walk in it and let it shine!