READ: Psalm 4
MEMORY VERSE
“In peace I will lie down and sleep” Psalm 4:8
BACKGROUND
In his 1985 book Generation to Generation, family therapist and Rabbi Edwin Friedman introduced the phrase “a non-anxious presence.”
Friedman’s thesis, later articulated in A Failure of Nerve, is that “the climate of contemporary America has become so chronically anxious that our society has gone into an emotional regression that is toxic to well-defined leadership.”
Friedman focused on how chronic anxiety spreads within a system—a family, a workplace, a congregation. Yet in the same way, a leader can offer a non-anxious presence that will spread through a system, becoming a person of peace in the middle of a storm.
Psalm 4 is a psalm of David, written in the middle of one of life’s storms. David was in the grip of anxiety. So he cried out to God, “Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer” (v. 1).
While he was fearful for his life, he was also aware that his followers were fearful too: “Many, Lord, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’” (v. 6).
David’s decision to trust God created a non-anxious presence in the presence of anxiety! “In peace I will lie down and sleep,” he said. David could rest because “you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (v. 8).
We too can rest in the non-anxious presence God provides. We can spread His peace wherever we go.
John Blase
INSIGHT
Psalm 4 expresses David’s quiet confidence in God amid distressing circumstances and slanderous attacks (vv. 1-2, 8).
Affirming that God had set him apart to live a life that honored Him (v. 3) and acknowledging his propensity to seek revenge on those who’d attacked him, the psalmist reminded himself, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent” (v. 4 nlt).
Instead of angry retribution, he chose silent reflection on God’s goodness and faithfulness (vv. 4-8). In another psalm, David similarly wrote, “Be still before the Lord . . . . Do not fret—it leads only to evil” (37:7-8).
Today, when we’re anxious, we can ask God to help us and to remind us of His presence and faithfulness.
K.T. Sim
APPLICATION
What’s a current situation causing you anxiety? What would it look like to lead with a non-anxious presence?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“(As) we rest in the non-anxious presence God provides. We can spread His peace wherever we go.” – Adapted
PR’s TAKE
“God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas, Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah….The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.” Psalm 46:1-7
PRAYER
“You alone, God of peace, are my safety. May my trust in You encourage others to do the same.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WE HAVE AN ANCHOR”
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
It is safely moored; ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well-secured by the Savior’s hand.
Though the tempest rage and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our boat o’erflow.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul…
When our eyes behold through the gath’ring night
The city of gold, our harbor bright,
We shall anchor fast by the heav’nly shore,
With the storms all past forevermore.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
