Reflections
Psalm 4: 2, 4, 7-8, 9 (Read)
“The Lord does wonders for his faithful one.”
This Sunday's Psalm is about trust in God. Our psalmist David
is filled with desire for God's mercy, and invites us to pray,
“When I call, answer me; O my just God, hear my prayer.”
David reminds us the Lord works wonders for the faithful,
“The Lord does wonders for his faithful one.”
Part of keeping our faith must surely be keeping our Lord’s
commandments, as we are reminded to do in this Sunday's
second reading, “Whoever keeps his word, the love of God
is truly perfected in him.” (1 John 2:5)
What more could we ask for? Is it necessary that the risen
Jesus show us his hands and feet, or that we touch his flesh
and bones as in Sunday's Gospel? (Luke 24:39-40)
Our psalmist reminds us it is inside our hearts where
the Lord’s presence does the most good.
“You put gladness into my heart.”
If our hearts are made clean, and our sins are forgiven
by the Easter sacrifice and resurrection of God’s only son,
who or what can stand in our way?
What the Lord Jesus has done for us will give rise to
action on our part. For just as the disciples were witnesses
of what came to pass more than 2000 years ago,
so too are we called to witness for the Lord.
We are called to keep His word,
and to open our minds, so that we too can
better understand the scriptures.
We ask the Lord, “Let your face shine on us.”
And then we must go about doing His work!
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our Psalm Response this week is, "Lord, let your face shine on us."
What does it mean to you the have the 'light of His countenance' shine
upon you?
2. Our psalmist repeatedly petitions the Lord to answer him and
to hear him. Have you also prayed as David did for the Lord to hear
your prayer? What has been the result?
The LORD will hear when I call upon Him: The ungodly have a disaster waiting for them, but the godly have a great reward in the LORD. This is why David knows, "The LORD will hear me when I call upon Him."
ReplyDeleteEach Christian should have the same assurance. We should be confident that God will hear our prayers. When prayer seems ineffective, it is worth it to take a spiritual inventory to see if there is a reason for unanswered prayer. The Bible tells us there are many reasons why prayer may not be answered.
- Not abiding in Jesus (John 15:7)
- Unbelief (Matthew 17:20-21)
- Failure to Fast (Matthew 17:21)
- A Bad Marriage Relationship (1 Peter 3:7)
- Unconfessed Sin (James 5:16)
- Lying and Deceitfulness (Psalm 17:1)
- Lack of Bible Reading and Bible Teaching (Proverbs 28:9)
- Trusting in the Length or Form of Prayer (Matthew 6:7)
In this day, let us commit ourselves and all our affairs to the guidance and custody of the Lord, and be satisfied that all shall be made to work for good for us if we keep ourselves in the love of God. Amen
I have always loved imagining, "The light of the Lord's face, shining on us." Back in the Old Testament, when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the second set of tablets with the 10 Commandments, "He was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." Exodus 34:29. People could visibly see God's presence in him.
ReplyDeleteWe see a similar miracle at the Transfiguration. "His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light..." Matthew 17:2 Peter, James, and John were witness to the blinding brightness of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah and acutely aware of the power that distinguished these three from the disciples themselves.
I wonder if time spent with the Lord causes my countenance to change? It is my daily prayer that Jesus is evident in my life, whether it be through a calm spirit, an ability to be of good cheer, a wise word spoken in time, or, yes, even a physical brightening of my face.
David in Psalm 4 reminds us the Lord works wonders for his faithful one. He asks us to pray. If we keep His word and obey, our hearts are made clean and our sins are forgiven.
ReplyDeleteOur Lord puts joy and gladness into our hearts. We feel His presence, and He will let His face shine on us. And then we will fill our hearts with His mercy, love, peace and strength.
He makes me dwell in safety. He fills me to go about doing His work and bearing the fruit of His Spirit. I trust in the Lord who does wonders for His faithful one!