May 9, 2023 - Psalms 1-6

Just a couple quick, encouraging thoughts this morning (I’m running tight on time; trying to get off to Indiana and the TTI retreat where I am speaking). David declared: “But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him” (Psalm 4:2). Our God really does hear our prayers, and he really does respond to them. Anytime, anywhere, at any point in the day, we can speak to him and have confidence that he hears us and will respond.

And here’s another. In the same Psalm: “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” (Psalm 4:6,7). Isn’t that the way it is with the one who has the joy of the Lord! Others have their worldly stuff, but we have the Lord!

O God of grace and righteousness,

Hear and attend when I complain;

Thou hast enlarged me in distress,

Bow down a gracious ear again.

Know that the Lord divides his saints

From all the tribes of men beside;

He hears the cry of penitents,

For the dear sake of Christ that died.

When our obedient bands have done

A thousand works of righteousness,

We put our trust in God alone,

And glory in his pardoning grace. -- Isaac Watts (1740)