Seek the Lord First, Truly, Alone, and with All Your Heart

My daughter’s security blanket was shaped like a rabbit. We named it Bun-Bun. At bedtime, Bun-Bun was a necessity. My daughter went right to sleep.

For adults, security is more difficult. It is not for sale. But we can experience it by following the principles Psalm 4 teaches.

Seek the Lord First

King David speaks to God before confronting his enemies (4:1). As in Psalm 3, he is fleeing from his son, Absalom.

David did not depend on his faithful men, other nations, or his cleverness to regain the throne. He sought the Lord first.

For many of us, that is the third option. We try to solve problems ourselves. Then we look for help from others. When all else fails, we look to God.

God had previously rescued David from Goliath and King Saul. Based on His proven faithfulness, David said, “Have mercy on me and hear my prayer” (4:1 NIV).

God has not changed. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NIV).

Prayer taps the flow of God’s mercy, but disobedience is a tourniquet. If we only call out to God in a crisis and ignore Him otherwise, He might not answer the phone. There is security for the obedient who seek God first.

Seek the Lord Truly

David’s enemies, the Jewish aristocracy, opposed his every move. They were society’s elite, but they were not wise.

They were all wrapped up in themselves. They bore no eternally enduring fruit. They delighted in lies. They were unfaithful and uncommitted to both facts and people.

As a result, they possessed perpetual insecurity. They did not trust God or other people.

God hears His servants’ stress-filled prayers. He is dependable but not predictable.

Paul prayed for a safe trip to Rome. He arrived safely, but only after being arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake.

God hears our prayers. Opposition contrary to His will did not overwhelm King David or the Apostle Paul. It will not overwhelm us either.

David tells his enemies to lay aside their anger and seek the Lord wholeheartedly. Religious motions will not cut it. Right-living is more important than religious rituals. We, too, must seek the Lord with all our hearts.

Seek the Lord Alone

David’s discouraged friends longed for better times. Meanwhile, David looked to God alone and sought him with all his heart.

If the Lord was for him, it did not matter who was against him. Joy welled up inside him despite his troubles (4:7).

The promise of God’s presence is the softest pillow. Despite David’s circumstances, he slept peacefully without fear. God is the Bun-Bun of the soul! What is your takeaway?

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God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,090 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 14,841 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.   https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness

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