If you're like me, you sometimes have a hard time falling asleep. Often our minds are still churning on the problems of the day, of the week, of our lives. Sometimes worry keeps us awake, other nights it's our guilt. David gives us some really good sleep-aid advice in Psalm 4, which opens with a verse of prayer and closes with three prayer verses.
PSALM 4
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself;
the Lord hears when I call to Him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
FIRST, notice how David prays in the first verse. He is bold and honest about his questions and concerns, remembering and reminding that God has heard and answered him before. David advises us by example: don't hesitate to pray boldly, honestly and emotionally to God your heavenly Father! If you're in a melancholy or sad place, PRAY IT to God. If your situation is frantic and fearful, PRAY IT to God. If you're confused and angry, PRAY IT to God. Sins to confess... PRAY THEM to God. You get the picture.
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself;
the Lord hears when I call to Him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
FIRST, notice how David prays in the first verse. He is bold and honest about his questions and concerns, remembering and reminding that God has heard and answered him before. David advises us by example: don't hesitate to pray boldly, honestly and emotionally to God your heavenly Father! If you're in a melancholy or sad place, PRAY IT to God. If your situation is frantic and fearful, PRAY IT to God. If you're confused and angry, PRAY IT to God. Sins to confess... PRAY THEM to God. You get the picture.
God desires all your prayers, and has given His baptized children the Holy Spirit to be our Helper. If your heart is sinful and wrong in your motives, the Spirit will direct your thoughts, convict you of your sin, and give you comfort. Both the Holy Spirit [Romans 8:26] and Jesus Himself [Romans 8:34] have promised to intercede for our prayers with God the Father.
SECOND, David gives you and me advice about getting a good night's sleep. Take the advice in verse four seriously; Jesus modelled this for us as He drove the dishonest and disrespectful businessmen out of the Temple [Matthew 21:12]. Every night before sleeping, confess all your anger and other sins to God, so you can fall asleep in the comfort of His forgiveness [verse 8]. It is only the Lord's forgiveness which allows you to "dwell in safety" from the devil and sleep "in peace" by His great mercy.
Nightly honest & serious prayer, along with heartfelt confession of our sins; these are the BEST sleep aids EVER!
Peace in God alone,
Pastor Mark
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS Burton, Michigan
office: 810.744.1188 mobile: 248.881.7627
We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:
Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.
Soli Deo Gloria
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." Psalm 111:10a
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