A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton
God Speaks:
Psalm 4
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1
Answer me when I call to you,
O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Listen to God Speak & Obey:
The Psalmist, David, has a right answer of where to turn when you can’t sleep. There are times when we all face difficulty in getting a good night of sleep. It is good to know that we don’t have to turn to medicine first. Instead, we can turn to God.
Psalm 3
A Psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.
1
O Lord, I have so many enemies;
so many are against me.
2
So many are saying,
“God will never rescue him!”
3
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4
I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy mountain.
Through all of his troubles, David was able to say:
Psalm 3:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
The people of God have an always present helper that we can call upon when we cannot sleep because of worry, anxieties, and trouble within and without.
David gives us a first response to getting help for the thing are within us that results in worry, anxiety and inner turmoil.
Psalm 4:4-5
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude
5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
and trust the Lord.
Why worry when you can pray? If you are going to pray, don’t worry. Words I was taught by wise women in my family from my childhood.
Prayer:
Our Father, hallowed by Your name. Father, thank You for a God who is always present in the lives of Your people.
Father, help us to remember to pray first; taking all of our worries, anxieties, and troubles to You in prayer. Amen!
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