“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 ESV)

David was facing great difficulties when he wrote Psalm 4, probably during the rebellion of his son Absalom. He was surrounded by enemies on all sides and was deeply troubled. But during this time of turmoil, his psalm ends not with fear, but with peace: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep.” This peace came not from favourable circumstances, but from his trust in God.

At this point, David did not pray for victory or revenge, he asked for only one thing: peace before God. And that was enough for him. Knowing that God was with him, he had the confidence to rest even when everything around him was uncertain.

Do we often pray like this? Many times, our prayers are about daily needs, problems, or things we hope for. These are good and important. But if that is all we focus on, we may be missing what matters most: God’s presence, and the peace he alone gives.

Unfortunately, the message of the gospel has sometimes been distorted into a “promise of prosperity.” Some preachers teach that faith should bring wealth and health. But David's prayer and his life show us that walking with God does not always mean a life of ease. Sometimes it means resting in the peace God gives even when surrounded by danger, because we know he is our refuge.

Think about it: somewhere in war-torn Ukraine, there is likely a mother, father, or child simply praying for safety, for a quiet night, for silence instead of sirens. Such a prayer brings us back to the heart of Psalm 4.

Let this psalm challenge us today:

Do our prayers reveal our true priorities?

Are we seeking God Himself, or just His blessings?

Do we value the peace God gives more than worldly gains and losses?

Prayer: Dear Father, teach us to long for your presence above all else. Be our refuge when we are weary, anxious, or fearful. Forgive us for often chasing after worldly things. Like David, help us to rest in your peace and trust in your presence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.