Preparing for the New Year - Pt. 5

 

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. 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. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4 ESV).

 

Through the years I have been privileged to be beside many faithful saints as they neared their death. Some of those were family members, others were good friends. All of their “last words” were different, though many had one element in common. They all were ready to die. While they faced the ultimate unknown of life, they didn’t not fear death itself. I can fully understand their dilemma. I am in relatively good health. There is nothing life threatening in my life now (though I am reminded everything in this life can be life threatening… after all, none of us are going to get out of this “alive”). It becomes easier for me to look forward to a day when all of this is behind me never to exist in my eternal life with Jesus.

 

The real issue then becomes: How do I find peace? The last time I visited with my oldest brother was just before he died (he is pictured on the left here). We sat on his little patio so he could smoke a cigarette (and, yes, he was dying from smoker’s cancer). He wanted to ask me some questions. His first question dealt with the ability to know whether he was going to heaven or not. That one was easy. I went through some Scriptures and asked him if he believed Jesus died for his sins. He said, “Yes.” I replied, “Then make sure you tell everyone there that I’m not far behind.” We both laughed a bit and he then asked the harder question: “Why is it so hard to die when it is so good to be in heaven?”

 

He wanted to have peace in a time when it seemed impossible to have anything that felt like peace. So, I read him our reading today, Psalm 4. All of us need to experience the safety of the Lord, not only when we face death, but also in the daily challenges of life.

David, who wrote these words, knew all about the dangers facing us each day. He experienced so much distress in his own life, and he knew there was no safety in life or in death without the Lord. Perhaps you are experiencing some of the distress of Psalm 4. Perhaps you find yourself lying awake at night because of things that are happening in your life. Perhaps you wonder about your health, your family, your job, your future. Perhaps you dread what might come in the year ahead. Turn to the Lord for the safety and security you need. He has promised to make us live in safety when we turn to him. And, that’s what real peace looks like!