Psalm 4

1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?

3 You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.
5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.

6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord.
7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Don't blame me..I am innocent.

I should stop a moment and contemplate this. People can nurse grudges and declare my faults...for any length of time they desire, but...God declares me innocent.

That is very important, since I know my heart, and it's anything but innocent.

But God declares me so and I'm sticking with God's assessment.

Based on what? Based on the righteousness imputed to me through faith in Jesus Christ. Can you imagine this? This is analagous (though wholly inadequate) to a parent watching a small child's futile attempt to make their bed and yet saying "perfect!"

What a glorious blessings...but that's not all. When the world around us wants to abuse us, we have a God who mercifully hears our prayers and is prepared to deliver us. Why? Because "God sets apart the godly for himself". Nobody invades our lives without God's permission. This is why people of faith ought to be overflowing with joy.

And...why we don't have to respond in anger: Because we are not desperately fighting this battle on our own. God is fighting it for us. We can say with David "I will lie down in peace for you, O Lord, will keep me safe".

Live boldly out there today...