The Lord Hears When We Pray and Provides (Psalm 4)

1. Read: Psalm 4:1-8

2. About the Text:

1) So many of the Psalms are prayers.

2) It just seems natural that one of the first Psalms discusses the power of prayer.

3) This Psalm affirms that God hears prayer and responds to it.

4) Jesus prayed, and we need to be a praying people (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. God hears us when we call.

1) Just knowing this is a relief.

2) “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

2. He is our righteousness

1) It is such a relief that we don’t have to stand on our own merits, but God is with us.

2) “And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philippians 3:9).

3. He relieves us when we are in distress.

1) “In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me” (Psalm 120:1).

2) “In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears” (Psalm 18:6).

4. He is merciful in hearing our prayers.

1) “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end” (Lamentations 3:22 ESV).

2) “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11).

1. Men destroy relationships by

1) Turning glory to shame.

a. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

b. “And he said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God’ (Luke 16:15).

2) Loving worthlessness/vanity.

a. Reference to idolatry of all kinds.

b. “Thus says the Lord: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?” (Jeremiah 2:5).

3) Seeking falsehood.

a. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

b. “That they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12).

2. God builds relationships by . . .

1) Setting apart the godly.

a. It is only the godly who have real and good relationships.

b. “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

2) Hearing when His people call to him.

a. God brings us together.

b. “O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come” (Psalm 65:2).

1. By providing an outlet for our anger.

1) Paul quotes this verse in Ephesians 4:26 – “’Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”

2) God will grant us relief if we will give him our problems. “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm” (Psalm 37:8).

2. By helping us reflect and wait on him.

1) We must think about holy things instead.

2) “Finally, brethren, … true … noble … just … pure … lovely … of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil.4:8).

3. By expecting us to act sacrificially.

1) Righteousness does not give in to carnal desires; it gives them up!

2) “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

4. By giving us a place to put our trust.

1) When trust in people fails, we can always trust the Lord. He won’t fail.

2) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

1. God shows us what is good when the world does not.

1) “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).

2) “So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God” (Luke 18:19).

2. God gives us joy.

1) “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil.4:4).

2) “Rejoice evermore.” (1 Thess.5:16).

3. God gives us peace.

1) As a result of prayer and trust in Him.

2) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

4. God alone provides safety.

1) Nothing can get between us and the love of God.

2) “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

1. The Lord Hears our Prayers and Provides . . .

1) Relief 2) Relationship 3) Righteousness 4) Refuge

2. Invitation