Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Opening Scripture

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Opening Prayer

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 4

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Reflection  

Today’s psalm is an urgent plea for help. David is asking God for relief from those who are blaming him for a disaster plaguing the nation. Perhaps it was a drought that threatened the food supply. Regardless, there were those who loudly proclaimed that, whatever the problem was, it was the king’s fault.

This slander was gaining momentum and was undermining David’s “approval rating” with his subjects. Apparently, these “insurrectionists” assumed that the king – rather than God – was responsible for protecting the people from all difficulties, even those that were weather-related. Many are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Sounds a lot like modern politics.

In the psalms that bracket today’s reading, David offers a similar appeal to God. “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!” (Psalm 3:1). “Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray” (Psalm 5:1-2). Sometimes, being in charge isn’t all it is cracked up to be.

David petitions those who are trashing his reputation and questioning his fitness to lead with the challenge: “How long will you people turn my glory into shame?” You can hear the exasperation in David’s voice. Then he counters with an accusation of his own: “How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?” 

God has always been faithful, and David is confident that He will handle the current challenge yet again. David knows that it is the LORD who has made him king, and it is the LORD who will protect him in that role. David knows that God hears his prayers and He will address things when and how He chooses.

As such, David can declare, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

David offers wise counsel in today’s text: “Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.”

David is experiencing a range of intense feelings. Fear. Doubt. Frustration. The Hebrew word translated “tremble” here (ragaz) means to quiver with agitation or quake with rage. It seems that anger was the dominant emotion at the moment.

“Tremble (with anger) and do not sin” is a theme woven throughout Scripture. It definitely relates to having peace and making peace. Paul quotes Psalm 4:4 in his letter to the Ephesians. “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Jesus said, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).

James offers this advice: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20).

In fact, David shared this wisdom in another psalm. “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil” (Psalm 37:8). Proverbs 15:1 echoes that instruction: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Everyone gets angry from time to time, but it is important to keep anger in perspective. David suggests lying down (take a timeout), remaining silent (breathe deeply and relax), searching your heart (examine your motive), and offering the situation to God (trust Him to work in this situation).

How do you typically respond to adversity?

How do you handle anger?

Ask God to help you experience peace and be a peacemaker.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!