Psalm 4

1(A)Answer me when (B)I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have (C)relieved me in my distress;
Be (D)gracious to me and (E)hear my prayer.
2O sons of men, how long will (F)my honor become (G)a reproach?
How long will you love (H)what is worthless and aim at (I)deception? Selah.
3But know that the LORD has (J)set apart the (K)godly man for Himself;
The LORD (L)hears when I call to Him.
4(M)Tremble, (N)and do not sin;
(O)Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5Offer the (P)sacrifices of righteousness,
And (Q)trust in the LORD.
6Many are saying, "(R)Who will show us any good?"
(S)Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD!
7You have put (T)gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
8In peace I will both (U)lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to (V)dwell in safety.

This psalm is really about praise to a God who hears us, to a God you is worth everything and who satisfies. I love how God is everything in this poem. Why is it that we (sons of men) trade God in for what doesn't satisfy? I'm tempted all the time and by everything. I just walked into target today and coveted all the scarves. I did! My head turns so easily. One thing I think God is showing me this Christmas is just how incredibly blessed I am. I am not in need of anything because God is everything. This whole world is dissatisfied and in despair. So many people I talk to have wounds they try to cover with empty things. And it seems like the very nature of America is to be dissatisfied and lust after more. Advertisement runs on that we never have enough. All they have to do when they cry, "Who will show us any good?" is to look to God who has put gladness is our hearts. It is so good to be able to find peace and rest in God. When everything in this world fails, when family hurts, when I choose sin over God, even when my body hurts (i got the flu), God is still the reservoir of peace that calms the soul. God is everything.