Read Psalm 4:5-8 (really… it’s quite short)
Such an interesting sequence of ideas. Here’s my paraphrase:
Bring your sacrifices to God in the right spirit, and trust Him
Lots of people don’t trust, so they ask over and over ‘who will show us better times?’
I say, show us your smiling face, God.
You have given me more joy that those who have the best of everything.
Because of this, I sleep in peace. I know you are looking after me.
So, what does it mean to bring sacrifices in the ‘right spirit’? My best understanding is that it means bringing our sacrifices in humility, with joy and thankfulness, and without selfishness.
So, what are the sacrifices we bring to God? It must include the ‘sacrifice of praise’ when we gather with our church for worship. We are to come to those gatherings in the right spirit. But is it more than that?
What about the sacrifices required to serve? I may be giving up some things in order to do what I’m called to do, or in order to serve the people right in front of me. When I think about what I’m giving up, do I take those thoughts captive and bring them to God in humility… joy… thankfulness? Or do I come whining?
If I come whining, I will never recognize that what God gives us is better than having abundance in everything. If I come whining, I will not have peace when I lie down and sleep.
I cannot whine and trust at the same time. So that’s the lesson for today. Someone should put that on a wall-hanging. :)
