In Psalm 4:6, we read about those who are pessimistic about David’s future. He’s been driven from Jerusalem by his son, Absalom, and it looked like David’s kingship was over. This verse says, “There are many who say, ‘Who will show us some good.’” The question expects the answer, “there isn’t anyone who will show us good.” Everything has turned against David. You had a nice run, David, but it’s all over now. But David won’t give in to the pessimism of those around him. He clings in confidence to God, knowing that no matter what happens in the future, God is in control, and he can trust God to make it work out for good for him. It’s not the circumstances of having things go well that bring peace to David. Others might trust in the things of this world, but David trusts in God. He has great faith. Faith is believing that God has your best interest foremost in mind regardless of the circumstances. It does not just believe that God exists. It’s trusting him to be well-intentioned toward you through all the trials of life. This brought great peace to David amidst his many troubles. That’s the only thing that will bring peace to our lives as well. In Psalm 4:7, David says, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”
Big crops and big paychecks bring some joy in life for now. But they are not lasting. You eat your dinners; you drink your wine, and they are gone. You must do it all over again. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well and told her there was a well from which she could drink and that one drink would quench her most important thirst fall all time. He later spoke to his followers of being the “bread of life,” which would satisfy our pangs of hunger once and for all. Jesus also said that he had come not to take our lives away but that we might have life in all its abundance. The Gospel message is that Jesus ultimately saves all who come to him in faith regardless of the physical trials one might face.
The pessimist sees the glass and says that it is half empty. He focuses on what isn’t there. The optimist sees the glass and says that it is half full. He focuses on what is in the glass. But David is neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Having a clear conscience and being in a right relationship with God is what brought joy to David. In Psalm 23, verses 5 and 6, we see that David didn’t see a cup half full or half empty. He says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Yep, my cup isn’t half empty, although sometimes I think it is. My cup isn’t half full, but sometimes I see it that way. In truth, through faith in Christ as my shepherd, my cup is overflowing!