Psalm 4:6-8 reads:

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.

Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.

This is one of my favorite psalms for when the weight of everything feels crushing.

Perhaps today you feel like you can’t go another day. You are exhausted and empty. Or, maybe you know someone who is going through some really hard times, or an especially difficult season of life. Maybe you have asked this same question, when will prosperity come? When will this be over? When will I be able to flourish again?

The psalmist is writing from a place of deep distress, praying for mercy, praying to just be heard. He acknowledges the pitfalls that become present when we are distressed, the temptation to shame God instead of glorify, to turn to inward delusions or external gods – only to remind us that even then, from that low place we are still set apart, and he still hears us.

The psalmist reminds us to be distressed but not to sin, to examine our hearts (for delusions) and listen for His voice (instead of false gods) – to offer the sacrifice of righteousness, or faith, and to trust him in our distress.

Realizing everyone in the world asks “who will bring us prosperity?”

The only answer is, the Lord, and may his face shine upon us.

And so it may be tempting to ask for this time of distress to pass but the psalmist says, “I’ll be content in my distress, knowing that my heart will fill with joy when the time is right, with new grain and new wine” and in the hope of joy to come I will rest tonight, and sleep, knowing the Lord is good.

We must hope in the joy that is to come, and which is partially known now.

You see, the psalmist writes from a place before Christ. His sights were set on the future. Yes, he had the testimony of Israel and the Patriarchs to encourage him, but he was still waiting for his savior.

We look to our own history, now firmly built on Christ, and his death, resurrection and ascension!

Christ is the New Wine and New Grain we wait for.

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

Matthew 26:27-29

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.

John 6:35a

Of course, this doesn’t mean life is going to be easier or without difficulty. It just means that now, we have Christ with us in our distress and suffering, which is what the psalmist hope for.

Someday, when Christ returns yet again, the fullness of this promise will come true.

As Revelation 21:4 reads:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

So we wait, having but a sip and taste of hope and life. We wait for the coming feast of all feasts. For those of us that are hurting today. I offer the following prayer in response to Psalm 4. May it be a blessing.

Father, there are times when we can’t even begin to grasp the weight of emotion that weighs us down. Lord, even when our hearts are swirling with anticipation and eagerness and anxiety, you are there. Lord, in your plan you have brought all things together, and all times and seasons are for your purpose. We have gone through immense distress, and yet have also experienced seasons of flourishing. We have a hope that you will fill our hearts with joy, focused on the promise of new grain and new wine. That someday, all distress will be gone. Someday we will never be crushed again. Lord, carry us today, this week, this month, this year, and beyond. May your face shine upon us, so that we may glorify you with action and word. Protect us from the inward and outward forces that cause us to turn our eyes from You. Lord, may we honor those around us that help and minister to us in our need, may we be forever thankful for the love and care they have poured out in faith over us. Yes, for their remarkable sacrifices and acts of righteousness. Lord, prepare our hearts as we face each mountain, that we may be steadfast. Thank you Lord for your nearness, especially in these hardest moments. We accept your peace as you lead us into rest.

Amen.

Peace be with you.