PSALM 4:3-4 - But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
Psalm 4 was written by David and is addressed to both God and man. He starts out by asking God to “hear him when he calls.” There was passion in David’s cry. He didn’t want to just cast up words toward heaven. He needed God’s attention to his present problem. Often power in prayer is lacking because there is little passion in prayer. It isn’t that we persuade God by emotional displays, but God wants us to care deeply about the things He cares deeply about. The prophet Isaiah spoke with sorrow about the lack of this in Israel: And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You (Isaiah 64:7). This is a good example of David stirring himself up to take hold of God.
In verse 3 David asks “how long”: He asked a valid question. Just how long will the ungodly keep to their way? They can’t keep to it forever, so they may as well abandon it now and be blessed. If we find ourselves on a compromising course, it is valid to ask, “How long? If I extend this course of action out to its logical and inevitable conclusion, where will I be? Knowing this, how long will I play around with this sin?”
The LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly:
David knew that he and other godly people were set apart for God. There are many reasons why we set things apart.
·We set things apart for our own enjoyment.
·We set things apart for greater purity.
·We set things apart for special service.
For all these reasons and more, God sets us apart unto Himself.
The ungodly have a disaster waiting for them, but the godly have a great reward in the LORD. This is why David knew, the LORD will hear when I call to Him. All Christians should have the same assurance. They should be confident that God will hear their 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 several possible reasons why prayer may not be answered. Or it may be that you just aren’t listening.
·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).
Then David goes on to tell us to commune with our hearts and be still. In other words, fill our hearts and minds with God’s word, put the world aside, empty our thoughts of the mundane, and concentrate on listening to God. Be still.