Today's Verse: Psalm 4:1

Thursday, April 1, 2004

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
— Psalm 4:1
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

At first, this cry for help seems very demanding of us on God. Closer inspection shows that this is really a cry of desperation. Have you been there? I surely have, and I regularly hear from folks who are there now. But, dear friend in Jesus, read how this Psalm ends! What is the secret to surviving a long agony? I believe three things are important:
  1. Honesty in our prayer life with God.
  2. Confidence that God hears and cares even when our prayers sizzle with pain and frustration.
  3. Genuine praise for God that is included in our prayers even when things seem bleak and God feels distant.
Such an approach to prayer is not a magical formula but a Spirit-inspired one - check it out in Psalm 4!

My Prayer...

O God, please hear my cry for relief and the relief of those I love who are in agony from their burdens and suffering. Please answer in amazing and miraculous ways so that we may not only be relieved, but you may be glorified by those who see you working in the lives of ordinary but desperate people. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Hear My Prayer
Illustration of Psalm 4:1
Inspirational illustration of Psalm 4:1 -- Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Calm Down
Article by Alan Smith
Feeling a little stressed? Try this... Sometimes we need a little admonition to calm our souls, even if it is self-administered.

Illustration

Illustration of Psalm 4:1 — Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 1, 2004

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: 2 Samuel 2:26
"If, O my reader! thou art merely a professor, and not a possessor of the faith that is in Christ Jesus, the following lines are a true ketch of thine...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God is Pleased with Faithfulness Under Suffering'
"For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Paul Recognizes the Truth of Scripture'
"[Paul had spoken to the Jewish leaders in Rome all day. He had reasoned with them from the Scriptures that Jesus was both Lord and Messiah, and some...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Working Together' (Co. 4:12-18)
"Dear Father, Help us to remember each other earnestly in our prayers. Help us to stand mature and to be fully assured in your will. Help us encourage..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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