Set Apart By God To Be Like Him

David, the author of Psalm 4, faced many enemies. He always turned from those against him toward the One who was for him. Fortunately, God set him apart to be just like Him.

You can be sure of this: God set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him. Psalm 4:3

The choir sang this Psalm accompanied by stringed instruments. David often found himself face-to-face with his enemies. He knew, however, that God would always stand with him.

In verse one, David cuts right to the chase. He needed an answer from the Lord. So, he pleaded with Him because God considered him innocent.

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Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1

We can live guilt-free lives as well. God declares all who call upon the name of Jesus innocent. Set apart by the blood of the Lamb, the Apostle Paul encourages us to obey God.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15

God doesn’t want any of His children to live with guilt. If we start straying from the truth, the Holy Spirit will bring conviction upon us to get us back on track.

Declare Me Innocent

If we decide to shun the warning of God’s Spirit, then we will replace His conviction with guilt. Because God had set David apart to Himself, he boldly asked God to declare his innocence.

Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, Psalm 7:8
Declare me innocent, for you see those who do right. Psalm 17:2
Lord, declare me innocent, for I have acted with integrity; Psalm 26:1
Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Psalm 43:1

David asked God to declare him righteous and innocent. The Apostle John wrote in his first epistle that we should make a declaration for Jesus. Then God can live in us.

All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:15

After David told his readers that God set us apart for Himself, he offered some advice about our attitude.

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Psalm 4:4

What do we know about anger? It will cause us more trouble and grief than we need. Some say they have righteous anger, but only God can possess that type of anger. Look what James says.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20

Human anger makes us susceptible to pitfalls that lead to unrighteous anger. Some pitfalls that cause us to sin include imperfect judgment, wrong motives, and sinful reactions.

Pitfalls of Anger

More often than not, when we get caught up in anger, we make quick, irrational decisions. Then, we end up in a pitfall. All of a sudden, we no longer control the situation. Our anger does.

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Why would we want to do anything that gives the devil a foothold in our lives? God wants us to maintain a level head and self-control. Solomon in Proverbs offered us some great insight.

People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. Proverbs 14:29

We probably all know someone who loves to party. They live for the weekends and love to have a good time. According to the Psalmist David, no one can offer us a better time than God.

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. Psalm 4:6

At that time, many of his followers had become discouraged. So, David prayed for the Lord to smile upon him and his men. In other words, he prayed for God’s favor to rest upon them.

You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. Psalm 4:7

The world and all its riches can’t offer the joy that comes from the Lord. David also wrote the following words in another Psalm.

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:6-7

Exciting Benefits Of Being Set Apart to The Lord

Has God Set You Apart for Him?

As we close in on the last verse of Psalm 4, David brought it all together in verse eight. God set us apart, He declares our innocence, and smiles on us. We can rest well knowing those things.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8

Let’s put our total trust in the Lord and receive His perfect peace, a peace that passes all understanding. The peace that protected Daniel when thrown into the midst of the lions.

He will also protect us from the lion roaming to and fro, seeking whom he may devour. As long as you don’t give the devil a foothold, it won’t be you!

You are a Holy God, thank you that you set apart for you. Help us to stay out of the pitfalls of anger. Grant us joy and peace that can only come from you.

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