Does the Lord hear me today?

Psa 4:1 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.

 

Today I want to focus on verse three. I wonder what there is in my life that gives me assurance that God will hear me when I call unto Him. The verse says that the godly are set apart for Him and it implies that those are the ones He hears. I know that the 10 commandments are God's perfect law. So how did I stack up today against that perfect standard? I guess I could ask myself these questions and answer them honestly?

1. Was God first in my life all day today? Well, I watched a TV show this morning before I read my Bible and then I know I got upset for my own selfish reasons today. I asked for forgiveness each time, but it would have been nice to not have had to ask for forgiveness.
   
2. Did I worship someone religious icon today? Religious icon? Yeah, you know my personal forms of worship. My musical preference, dress style, or other general preference while thinking wrong of someone for not preferring that which I prefer. My icons of worship. Perhaps, I should just thank God for music to listen to, clothes to wear, and all the other things I enjoy and not worry about others.
   
3. Did I use the Lord's name in vain? As a curse word, no. Did I always call on Him in sincerity and with a depth of truth belonging to His person?
   
4. Did I honor my father and mother? They raised me to work hard and do my best in all that I perform. Did I honor them today?
   
5. Did I murder someone? You know that person on the road driving real slow that you want to hurt? I know just in my mind, but is it not the heart that defiles?
   
6. Did I commit adultery? Did I look with lust on a person of the opposite sex? It is natural, to sinful man. It is not an option for the Christian.
   
7. Did I steal? Not even someone's reputation with gossip?
   
8. Did I lie? Even a little white one?
   
9. Did I covet? Someone else's work schedule, car, bank account, or anything else you can think of?
   

So now that I have communed with my heart (yikes) and discovered how my day went will I stand in awe and sin no more? Here is the test of righteousness and godliness: make the answers to these questions less negative day by day and be repentant for the positive ones. Praise God for the Holy Spirit who gave us victory in some of these questions and beg for forgiveness for the others.

This is how David knew the Lord would hear him. This is how he knew he was set apart. You inventoried his days and made confession and praise to God a routine of his life. My challenge is to become like David.