O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah.
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself.
The LORD hears when I call to Him.
-Psalm 4:2-3
You may face, as David did, the opposition of those who are not following the Lord, but who are destroying your reputation and hindering the Lord’s purpose. David asks them, “How long?” In other words, “Have you not yet realized the foolishness and futility of your pursuits?” The comfort to God’s people is that the destructive works and words of men will not continue forever. So David appeals to these men to change their ways now. And yet even while they continue, he reminds them that they cannot prevail against God’s purpose for His own. Believer, God has set you apart for holiness, for His pleasure, for His special care. Let this assurance give you courage when life would dishearten you. Though ungodly men seem to succeed in their plans, we who follow the Lord have a precious gift that they do not enjoy—the delight and comfort of God’s presence, and the assurance that He hears our prayer.
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee,
Who from the heavens the streams of His mercy doth send thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
Who with His love doth befriend thee.
