Psalm 3 and 4

Psalm 3
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!

Thoughts: David was running from danger at this point. He was I'm sure you could say - in the midst of sufferring. He probably wouldn't have chosen to be running for his life. But he said "God - you are my shield." God was the barrier between David and his circumstances. He was protecting him from danger. He didn't send David into battle unprepared - He was there providing very physical, very real protection and comfort! David was so secure despite the turmoil around him that he was able to say "I lay down and slept... I will not be afraid..." That is God's grace on display - being able to say that is not a normal human response. David should have been scared out of his mind, yet he was able to say I'm completely at peace.
-------------------------------

Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Thoughts: David's confidence to pray for God's answers was based on his 2nd statement - He looked back at God's faithfulness in his past and confidently was assured of His continuing faithful generosity. The Lord hears when I call unto him. What relief. He isn't a Budda sitting uncaring with crossed arms and I'm just trying to reach his ears. My cry, my very breath reaches his all-knowing all-compassionate all-powerful ears. And He wants our confidence to be wholly on him. So, the one line that really stuck out to me is "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." Can our church family say that about us? Are we charaterized by joy? A confident joy in a faithful God that will never leave us? Again - what an evidence of God's amazing grace displayed in David - His joy was IN SPITE of his circumstances not because of them.