September 15, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

When the going gets tough what is your natural reaction?  For some it’s the saying the tough get going.  Others may avoid tough times like the plague and avoid the tough situation as much as possible.  Some white knuckle it and just grind their way through.  I like King David’s approach.  He cries out to God.  The Psalms are filled with David crying out to God.  Let’s look at David talking about this in Psalm 4 together today.

Answer me when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
    have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

Tremble and do not sin;
    when you are on your beds,
    search your hearts and be silent.

Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.

Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.

I love the last line in particular, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  The one thing that often comes hard during times of challenge is sleep.  Your mind races, you worry about what may or may not happen.  You think about how you should respond.  Not David.  He knew that God had his back so he shut his eyes and rested, knowing that God would help him to dwell in safety.  I pray that our first instinct in times of trouble would be to turn to God and that we would have the faith in Him to shut our eyes and sleep.  God is with you and He loves you!
 
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

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