INNER PEACEINNER PEACE

The Problem of Mistreatment by OthersThe Problem of Mistreatment by Others

David’s battle with mistreatmentDavid’s battle with mistreatmentPsalm 4Psalm 4

Peace threatened Peace threatened

Why David needed peaceWhy David needed peace

AbsAbsalom’s Rebellionalom’s Rebellion

BetrayalBetrayal HurtHurt FearFear

Peace soughtPeace sought

How David found peaceHow David found peace

His appeal to GodHis appeal to God

Answer me when I call, O God of my Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! Thou hast relieved me in my righteousness! Thou hast relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4:1)prayer. (Psalm 4:1)

His response to the hostileHis response to the hostile

O sons of men, how long will my honor O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? become a reproach?

How long will you love what is worthless and How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?aim at deception?

But know that the Lord has set apart the But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him. (Psalm 4:2-3)I call to Him. (Psalm 4:2-3)

His exhortation to the indignantHis exhortation to the indignant

Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord. (Psalm 4:4-5)Lord. (Psalm 4:4-5)

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. (Ephesians 4:26-an opportunity. (Ephesians 4:26-27)27)

His plea for the doleful His plea for the doleful

Many are saying, “Who will show us any Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” (Psalm 4:6)good?” (Psalm 4:6)

Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord!O Lord!

Peace attainedPeace attained

How David experienced peaceHow David experienced peace

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound. than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:7-8)safety. (Psalm 4:7-8)

David found a joy that superceded what is David found a joy that superceded what is one of the happiest times in the life of the one of the happiest times in the life of the carnal minded. His joy was in His carnal minded. His joy was in His relationship to God.relationship to God.

David found a peace that enabled him to go David found a peace that enabled him to go to sleep at night; not in the comfortable to sleep at night; not in the comfortable quarters of his kingly palace; but even in a quarters of his kingly palace; but even in a place of refuge and danger. place of refuge and danger.

We too can have the peace We too can have the peace David experienced in the midst David experienced in the midst

of mistreatmentof mistreatment!!

Pray to God for His help!Pray to God for His help! Affirm your faith in the justice of God to take care of Affirm your faith in the justice of God to take care of

His godly ones and to vindicate their cause.His godly ones and to vindicate their cause. Encourage those around you to keep doing right even Encourage those around you to keep doing right even

when they are upset and hurting.when they are upset and hurting. Support those whose hearts fail because of Support those whose hearts fail because of

disillusionment and discouragement with the hope disillusionment and discouragement with the hope that God will make all things work out!that God will make all things work out!

Receive from God the spiritual joy and peace that Receive from God the spiritual joy and peace that comes through trusting in Him!comes through trusting in Him!

Things to remember…Things to remember…