Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Psalm 4:8 (ESV)
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Do you find it hard to sleep in the midst of hardship and uncertainty? If so, you are not alone. In fact, rest is a common topic throughout the Bible. Our mind is often the battleground for anxiety and that battle can even keep our bodies from getting the physical rest it needs. Psalm 4:8 encourages us that we can both lie down and sleep in peace while we dwell in the Lord’s safety.
Rest not only involves sleep. David was not a stranger to crisis and the many Psalms attributed to him often reflect his life experiences and spiritual growth. Here in Psalm 4, there is a tender distinction between laying down and sleeping. In the Lord’s safety, David learned how to find peace in doing both.
There are times when our body beckons for rest but we refuse to slow down. In today’s world we often flood our bodies with a flurry of activity or numb our brains with entertainment so we don’t have to think. It can be scary to slow down, because those are the moments we must engage in the mind’s battle or feel pain and hurt. But God’s Word assures that we can rest, we can think and feel, and we can let go of distraction and trust the Lord all while dwelling in His safety.
It is important to note that David credits the Lord alone for the peace he experiences. This is a good reminder for us that we do not have to wait for our situation to change or become pleasant again to experience joy. Just before this affirmation David says in verses 6-7,
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
We can relate. We want the good things and happiness that we associate with seasons of harvest. But David reminds us that peace is not found in temporary situations that we enjoy. It is our lasting relationship with Jesus and our daily walk with Him as our Lord and Savior that puts more joy in our heart. Child of God, be still, let your body rest, and find peace in the Lord today.
The Lord is our shield and the lifter of our head. He hears our cry and answers us. We can lay down and sleep and wake again, for God sustains us. We don’t have to fear what surrounds us because our victory is found in Jesus! (Psalm 3:3-8)
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, what a blessing it is to dwell in your safety—to know that I can let go of all worry and anxious thoughts and abide in your presence full of all joy. I praise you today. Lord, You alone sustain me. Put even more joy in my heart today and in Your peace may I both lie down and sleep this day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.