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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)
Dear Friend, happy day! Don't you have mile markers or milestones during the week that bless you? I'll start with today; I know it's Thursday because it's our day to study a psalm! For those of you new to my e-devotional, which I call ConCafe, we work through the Lectionary from Monday through Thursday. I start with the Gospel lesson on Monday, the Epistle on Tuesday, the Old Testament lesson one Wednesday, and yay, Thursday, cuz tomorrow's Friday, my day of rest! And most Fridays I do a bonus and during this season we're studying Those Who Said Yes to Jesus. I pray the blessings of God be yours today in a way that prepares you for a great weekend, a great day of worship, and an occasion in which to share God's love with new people.
I started to use the last verse of this psalm as the title, but since most of you read it early morning I didn't want to entice you to go back to sleep! It's a powerful verse, one that my Grandpa loved and quotes at night as he prayed, kneeling by his bed, in the loudest voice he could muster (which was super loud!). I think he wanted to save the neighbors! But, like most of King David's work, it contains a message or two about his faith and either his joy or anger, and like most of his work, it is a testament to believing that God hears and answers our prayers.
This could be called an evening psalm because of what it says. But it is also a call to action, yes, he's calling God to action, but we do that from time to time as well, don't we? We've all been in distress and we've had no where else to call, and it is God we know who answers! We've heard people lament we no longer have prayer in school; I guarantee you this week in Texas schools prayers have been going up as our little ones have been taking the STAAR test! This psalm also calls out to readers and listeners to his writing to be made right with God. He speaks of something most United Methodist pastors should be familiar with, and that is the "setting apart" that comes with our calling. I personally believe it applies to all baptized believers, to live out a life that calls out to others to live a holy life before God; to show that God's presence in our lives is there for a reason; to seek righteousness, be faithful and fruitful. And if we're not there yet, today is time to seek that; for as we've said already, God answers prayer.
Show some good in your life today; and tonight, smile, and say what my Popó used to say, "I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for You alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety." Amen. Now, let's get busy!
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for this dear reader and their faith; bless and watch over them in ways that bring glory to Your name. Help us all to be those who show good in our lives, because there's enough bad and meanness already. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show the love!
Eradio Valverde
