“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
TEXT — Psalm 4:1-8
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.
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.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
