My God Is - Psalm 4

What did you find to be true about God in your journey through Exodus 32-34 last week? What made you pause to gaze on Him and His beauty? I’d love to hear the “what” as well as the “how” – How did God use it to capture your heart?

One small example from my life and then please share yours in the comments below:

I’ve had trouble sleeping lately. That’s NOT usually a problem for me! But it used to be – Anxiety would consume me, but God delivered me from paralyzing worry many years ago as I studied Psalm 4. I read it and parked there for a long time until the truth of it sank deeply into my heart and mind. Verse 8 often comes to mind, but lately… well, let’s just say that sleep has been a struggle.

BUT – gazing on the Lord this week has been a beautiful treasure worth staying awake for! As I read God’s promise to Moses in Ex. 33:14, I was reminded of Psalm 4. God told Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” My breath caught with wonder as Psalm 4:8 sprang to mind. I turned to Psalm 4 and began to read the familiar words…

¹Answer 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!

²O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

³But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.

⁴Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

⁵Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

⁶There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O LORD!”

⁷You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

⁸In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

So, when I can’t sleep, I turn my thoughts to the beauty of the God who made and redeemed me through the blood of Jesus Christ. I remember who God is…

MY GOD IS GRACIOUS!

MY GOD HEARS!

MY GOD GIVES PEACE!

MY GOD GIVES REST!

And in seeing these truths about God, I also see how He calls me to respond! But how would I have known these things if I hadn’t previously seen them in Scripture? Perhaps I would have thought, “Isn’t that nice that God met Moses and comforted him. I wish He would do that for me… but I’m not Moses…” Perhaps I would have missed that the promise IS for me as a child of God – He hears. He answers. His presence brings peace! Psalm 4 tells me so! And because I did notice (thank You, LORD!), those awake times are shorter and far more pleasant. I can ponder HIM and be silent. I can lie down and sleep in safety.

A small thing, but it tells me that KNOWING WHO GOD IS MATTERS!!

So, I have a challenge for you!! Get yourself a blank notebook and come along with me on a journey to know God more through the Psalms! Over the coming weeks, we will look for truths that reveal who He is, what He is like, what pleases Him, what displeases Him, and how He works. In fact, the notebook is so you can keep a journal – each time you encounter a verse that tells you something about God, write it down. Head each page “My God                          ” or “My God is                          ” and fill in the blank. Each time you come across a verse that tells you this truth about God, write it on that page. Start a new page for each topic. For example, I would record Psalm 4:8 on two pages! Once under “My God Gives Rest (or Peace)” and again under “My God Is a Refuge”. I might record verse 1 under “My God Is My Righteousness”, and verse 3 under “My God Hears”.

This week, work your way through Psalms 1-5, recording as you go. Throughout the day, call to mind the truths God has shown you. If you get parked in one psalm or even on a few verses – stay there. Keep praying and considering the beauty of the Lord you see there. You’ll get to the rest of the Psalms – but for the moment, fix your eyes on the wonder God shows you as you ask Him, “Show me Your glory, LORD!” He will! By revealing Himself to you in beauty and holiness, in ways you can’t anticipate, in the circumstances of your life, in the silence or the noise.

But you’re not done yet!! Come back here and leave a comment! It might simply be a verse reference and a “My God Is                             ” statement, or it might be a story about how God has used that truth to lead you, grow you, strengthen you…

I can hardly wait to hear, because your walk with God strengthens my walk with Him, too! Let’s encourage one another to know God more and more deeply! Give a blank journal to a friend and invite her to come along with you!

(The idea for this study came from this book: What Do I Know about My God by Mardi Collier. Her journey encouraged me to invite you!)

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Be sure to check out the sermon from this past Sunday: The Just Justifier, Romans 3:21-26, https://www.parksidebible.com/teachings/video

I am praying always for you!