Old Testament Scripture Reading Psalms 4:1 – 8 (KJV)
Psa 4:1 A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Psa 4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
Psa 4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Psa 4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
Psa 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1Thessalonians 5:1 – 11 (KJV)
1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) David the Psalmist is known as “A man after God’s Own Heart”; which is a term that reveals that when an individual is living with their trust in God to provide everything that He requires for their salvation’ then they can enjoy being covered in God’s Peace and God’s safety by faith.
2) The Apostle Paul, when writing to the Church at Thessalonica speaks of another application of the same term “Peace and safety” which is held by people who are not a believer in God, but rather rely on their own accomplishments; and have a false sense of security that will fail ultimately them.
3) This is why we (The Church) must remain dedicated to our mission to exalt and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone all the time; which is our calling and commission and privilege; and continue the ongoing task of making disciples of all the nations!
