"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
How often do we lie down and toss and turn and worry? How often are we unable to sleep because we are surrounded by difficulties, problems, sickness, or death? As a Christian how do we say with David, "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep"?
David Sleeps Peacefully
When David wrote this Psalm he was being pursued, hunted by his enemies. At every turn it seemed he would be overpowered and killed. And yet, he tells us that it is the Lord himself who allows him to have peace and lie down at night to sleep. David is not tossed and turned by negative emotions. David knows it is God who makes him "dwell in safety."
God is in Control
It is not God's will for us to lie awake at night, worried and concerned. That doesn't mean that our concerns are not important. What it does mean is that we should be able to sleep peacefully knowing that our Lord is in control:
"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever." Psalm 125:2
knowing that our future is in His hands:
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
and knowing that He wants to give us good things:
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11
Wisdom Brings Sweet Sleep
In Proverbs 3 Solomon extolls wisdom and understanding. This chapter in Proverbs gives us a guide for how to gain wisdom and understanding. He tells us:
Do not forget God's commandments. (3: 1-2)
Be merciful and truthful. (3: 3-4)
Do not think you are wise, but fear God and let Him guide you. (3: 5-6)
Honor the Lord with what He has blessed you with. (3: 9-10)
Happily accept God's corrections. (3: 11-12)
By keeping these things close to your heart, he says in verse 21:
"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet."
These guidelines for living will bring us that sweet sleep that many of us are longing for. Rest is something in short supply for many. Our Lord, in His word, tells us if we are obedient to His word that we will be blessed with rest, something many of us desperately need.
He Whispers Sweet Peace to Me
Isaiah 26:3 tells us:
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."
How wonderful it is to know that we can have "perfect peace" and that to have this we need to keep ourselves focused on God and trust Him with our futures. In this troubling world we live in today that is an important lesson to remember! Sleep peacefully!
Enjoy the hymn He Whispers Sweet Peace to Me sung by Ponder, Sykes and Wright.
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