Brothers and Sisters,
As we are nearing the end of the month of May, we have been walking through some of our favorite Psalms together. We felt that it was appropriate on this week which leads us into Memorial Day, to choose a Psalm that talks about sacrifice. On Memorial Day, we honor and remember those that sacrificed their lives for this country.
While my grandfather served in World War II and my brother-in-law and uncle both served in the armed forces, I don’t have any loved ones that gave their life in sacrifice to our country. But I know many of you know of friends, colleagues and loved ones that have and Monday, we remember them. In preparation for that holiday, I chose Psalm 4 to help us think through and prayer through this together.
While I will never know what it means to give my life away for the freedom of another, we all worship a God who saw fit to sacrifice Himself for the freedom of all. The freedom from sin and death, the freedom from a life of brokenness and despair, freedom from lost hope and freedom for new beginnings. I hope that as you read this Psalm today, you will pause and remember the many that have gone before us who used the example of Jesus’ sacrificial love to guide their decisions and convictions. May God add God’s blessing to the hearing and praying of this word.
Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.
6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.