verticallife

“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?” Psalm 4:1-2

Just a little reminder: David was a husband, a father, a commander-king. As all kings did, they listened and gave their judgments when people came to them to act on their behalf. He was a pretty busy man. There were battles to be fought, and decisions to be made.

Sometimes those responsibilities caused much stress… and distress. When we read his words, he was facing the reality and pressures of every day life – as a family man and as a leader.

Distress. Great pain. Anxiety. Sorrow. Acute mental suffering. Affliction. Trouble.

 As he faced his fears and piloted his way through pain, he knew he had a God who would hear him in his trouble. These were not just words of an ideological man. In the past when he called out to God, God did give him relief from the stresses of life. When he wrote, he penned these passages from his past experiences. He wasn’t simply hoping God would act. He knew He would. “The LORD will hear when I call to him.” He will. He does. Then David added something Paul would later quote: “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah” (Psalm 4:3-4)

PAUSEselah: David teaches us to “offer the right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.” While “many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’, Pray this prayer, “Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:5-8)

O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.” Psalm 3:1-4O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.” Psalm 3:1-4

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get along with everyone everyday? There were times when David’s “enemies” were from neighboring countries. At other times his enemies were in his own home.

This was a song David wrote when he was running for his life – running from his son, Absalom. Absalom was a very handsome young man (2 Samuel 14:25). Outward looks were all he had going, though, for inwardly he was devious.

Chapter 15 of Samuel’s second book records his conspiracy. “He stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” (15:6) His conspiracy “gained strength” and his “following kept increasing.” (15:12) When David was told by a messenger that all the men of the city were now following Absalom, David, his family and officials fled.

“David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up.” (15:30) It was at this time David wrote the words of this prayer. His hope, his expectation was that God would see his distress and would act on his behalf. (16:12)

No matter what was coming on the horizon, David went vertical. When he was exhausted from running, he “refreshed himself.” (16:14) How do you “refresh yourself” when you get exhausted, when you’re tired from all the running around?

“I cry aloud, and He answers me.” That was David’s response. He voiced his prayers, not under his breathe, but out loud. When was the last time you sat down and had a heart to heart conversation with your Father? You will see a word you may not recognize throughout the Psalms. That word is selah, and it is a musical pause. It occurs three times in this psalm alone. When was the last time you paused? David, out in the wilderness, was forced to pause from all that was going on around him and inside of him.

Though nothing had changed around him, something changed inside him. David was able to sleep. “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.” (Psalm 3:5-6)

Sleep can be the first thing that goes when we worry about what’s happening around us. But when we pause, and speak our concerns out loud to our Father, we find the comfort we need to wake refreshed. Sustained. En-couraged.

Selah. Stop what you are doing right now, and voice out loud what you’re thinking and what you’re feeling. “The Lord sustains me. I will not fear.”