Psalm 4 Continued…
Psalm 4 introduces a critically important theological idea for us. It is the idea of covenant relationship. Look at verse 3…
Psalms 4:3a
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
That word “godly” is the Hebrew word ‘Hasid’. That word is derived from the Hebrew noun ‘Hesed’, which is a reference to God’s loving-kindness. (The NIV generally translates this word “love”.) This is one of the major terms used to describe God’s covenant with Israel. Verse three could even be rendered this way: “the Lord has set apart his covenant partner for himself.”
The other half of verse three says…
Psalms 4:3b
the Lord will hear when I call to him.
So, you have this relationship between the “godly” and God. A relationship that God Himself established and “set apart” where the one who is godly (or is God’s covenant partner) can confidently know that God will indeed hear him when he calls out to Him. God is responsive to the one he is in covenant relationship with! What a wonderful truth!
Jesus said, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20) You, my friend, have the same special covenant relationship with the Most Holy God! You can unwaveringly know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that when you call out to God He will hear you! He not only knows your heart, he hears and will heal your heart! It is a simple truth that many of us take for granted. David never did. His Psalms are a testament to the unchanging truth that he knew he could cry out to God and he would be heard! You may think, “Well, I am not a Bible character. My life is a mess! I am in no place to expect God to listen to someone as messed up as I am.” This is why I love David so much! He was not a perfect person. When he blew it, he blew it big time. But he still had access to the very throne of God, because the Most Holy God chose to be in covenant relationship with him, just as Jesus has promised he has chosen to do with you as well!
PRAY
Father God, may we never take for granted the amazing access you have given to us, your children, to be able to speak to you and know that you will hear from heaven. It is all only because of Jesus!