For the full context of this post read Psalm 4.
Life often presents circumstances in which we’d like someone or something to show us a good time! Life often presents circumstances in which living a godly lifestyle seems like the hardest choice to make. Some believe that Christians aren’t allowed to have any fun, but it’s all about perspective. David wrote Psalm 4 when those around him were asking “Who will show us better times?”
3 You can be sure of this:
The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent.
5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
and trust the Lord.
6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”
Let your face smile on us, Lord.
7 You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe (Psalm 4: 3-8, NLT).
David knew that God had set him apart. He knew God would answer him when he called. David gave himself a pep talk reminding himself not to sin, but to trust God. His perspective was not “Who will show us better times?” but his perspective was “The Lord has set apart the godly for himself and he will answer me.” David wanted to be godly. He wanted to be able to offer sacrifices in the right spirit. He reminded himself to trust the Lord.
Who will show us better times? No one! No thing can be better than godliness. Nothing can bring greater joy than God. When life presents circumstances which tempt to be a good time, we can hold the perspective that Christians aren’t allowed to have any fun at all. Or, when life presents circumstances which tempt to be a good time, we can remember that we are people who are set apart by God and that God smiles on us, keeps us safe, and answers us when we call. We may need to give ourselves a pep talk every now and then to remind ourselves not to sin! We may need to remind ourselves to trust the Lord. David did those things too, but in the end he knew that there is no good time greater than godliness. I’m going to follow David’s lead and trust the Lord, not because I think Christians aren’t allowed to have a good time, but because I know godliness brings the greatest joy.
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