WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
Psalm 4:1-8
Psalm 139:23-24

Blessed is he who
keeps God’s holy law.

“… MY HEART IS PURE” (Tennyson)

One significance about Psalm 4 is the title addressed of the Lord: “God of my righteousness.” This is the only occasion when He is so addressed.

David is not showing a “holier than thou” attitude as if he has no sin at all. David is confident rather that in a certain matter he is falsely accused of  by his enemy, he can claim innocence without compunction. His heart is at ease as he calls upon God to be his Judge. Hence he addresses Him, “O God of my righteousness.” He can say with Sir Galahad in Tennyson, “My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.” Though he stands innocent in the matter concerned, before God he can only beg for mercy and favour. Though we are clean in our individual transactions, we are unworthy and undone at all times before a thrice holy God!

David, who has experienced God’s help before this in relieving him from a tight spot, pleads with assurance in the present circumstances. Having been fully assured in his heart that his prayer is heard, he can tell his enemies that the appointed of the Lord will not be disappointed. If the Lord has called you, and you serve Him with all your heart, you need not be afraid either! A word to those who take sin lightly: “Tremble and sin not!” Let them, instead of plotting mischief while they are awake upon their bed (Ps 36:4) rather search their own hearts if there be any wicked way in themselves. This exercise of examining one’s innermost self is reflected in David’s prayer in Psalm 139:23-24. If we often deceive ourselves, don’t we need to search our hearts, our intentions and motives, if they are for self or for God? When one has the tenfold strength from a sense of one’s accepted standing before God, then one can rejoice in the Lord despite taunting hurled from every quarter. “… for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh 8:10). One result of such strength in the Lord is a peaceful sleep, a security in Him who watches over us not only in daylight but also through the night.

THOUGHT: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!”
PRAYER: Teach me to examine myself daily before Thee, O Lord.