Sleep and Peace!

In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust. PSALM 4:8 AMP

The world has its cares. All through life, man pursues after symbols and the physical, visible trappings of prosperity. We spend our lives in the search for 'success', not even sure what it means, or when we have got it. We allow the world define it for us, so we keep running after the shadow, unaware of the real deal.

Life rises and falls on the strength of your inner content. Who lives in you will always determine what you do and how you do them. David here knew God on a personal basis, and it is no wonder he could pen down the amazing songs that make up most of the Psalms. I read today's extract and one lesson I have learnt recently just strikes me: We wrongly define peace as the absence of conflict, but it is actually the presence of the One called the Prince of peace.

It is the Prince of peace who gives the kind of peace defined here. Another understanding from today's extract is that sleep isn't automatic, simply because it is night, or you are tired. I have met people who couldn't sleep at night, even after a hard day's work and plenty of sleep medications. I couldn't make a medical pronouncement on the cause, but I can say that indeed, you can never take any of God's acts of grace for granted.

You could lie down on a bed which cost millions, and still not sleep. You could use up the most expensive drugs, and still not sleep a wink. The Psalmist says he will both lie down and sleep, not because the external circumstances were perfect, but because he had the backing and support of the One who mattered most. High walls and physical security really do not secure you; only God does.

You get all these by dwelling where God is, not on your own terms. If God provides safety, the one thing I must do is seek him out, if I must enjoy what he offers. I cannot go outside of him, or reject his offer, engage and remain in sin and rebellion, and assume that somehow, grace will still abound. God cannot be mocked or fooled, and his principles remain the same all through generations. He longs for a relationship with me, and longs to bless me with all he has. Would I let him? Would I surrender to him? His time of favour is here.