Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David Tripp connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

In today's episode, you'll listen to Paul preach through Psalm 4.

This Psalm was written during one of the most dramatic and sad stories in all of Scripture, when King David was on the run and hiding from his son Absalom.

Here's Paul Tripp on how we can run toward God with worship, trust, and joy, even when life doesn't make sense.

The great poet John Milton, who wrote that amazing epic poem, Paradise Lost, makes this important statement.

The mind is its own place and itself can make heaven of hell and hell of heaven.

Let me read that again to you.

The mind is its own place and in itself can make heaven of hell and hell of heaven.

We're going to look this evening at what is one of the most poignant, dramatic, sad stories in all of Scripture.

It's the story of David and Absalom.

You know the story. David was the anointed king of Israel.

And his son Absalom began to turn on him, began to quest for his throne.

The minute you know that, you know that this story can't go anyplace good.

It cannot have a good end. The Bible tells us that the hearts of Israel

turn toward Absalom. Remember, this is a monarchy. Unless the king is willing to give up his throne,

the only way the throne can be taken is by his death.

Think about the crushing grief of a father whose son not only wants his throne, but is plotting his demise.

Think of how heartbreaking it is to have the people that you've led, the people that you've served, be so fickle and be so disloyal. You know, the story

can't go anywhere good.

Psalm 4 is part of a twin psalms that Psalm 3 is a morning psalm, Psalm 4 is the evening Psalm, written when David has escaped the throne in fear of his life and is hiding out in a cave

with a sort of loyal ban of followers.

The story doesn't have a good end.

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