In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust. Psalm 4:8 AMPC
The Inspiration:
When you read words like those of the verse above, you have to ask about the origin and foundation of such confidence. These were the words of David, referred to as a man after God's heart. He had come to know God on a personal level, and even when he did wrong, and he did several times, he knew how to go back to God for forgiveness. He had several incidents in his life which taught him to depend solely and fully on God. If I want to come to the same conclusion David came to here, I have to also walk the same way David walked. Look at the contents of a few verses just before the one above: Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. How can a man speak in this way, unless he has an unflinching assurance of the One he had come to trust? He would have proven this person over and over, until he comes to the complete assurance that God hears anytime he calls.
The Contention:
The blessing is both to lie down and also to sleep. Do not take any of them for granted, or think you can buy any of them with a lot of money. It is a blessing to find time, the place and the grace to lie down. It is a promise of the good shepherd to make me lie down in green pastures. It takes a man who God has given rest to look forward to lying down. It shows that the man has also been blessed with a place of rest. Size is not the issue here, and a big house or a massive bed do not guarantee a place of rest. Being able to lie down and sleep is one part, and then to be able to sleep is the other. Men have invested huge sums of money and resources in order to guarantee a good sleep, yet it is clear that sleep is a blessing from God. I have seen men and women who have to be heavily medicated in order to fall asleep. Sleep is not the exclusive preserve of the rich or poor, but simply for the one who God chooses to give it to. Am I one of such people? Can God count on my total and absolute devotion?
The Conclusion:
The verse above makes it clear how I can get both to lie down and sleep, and it is because the God who gives the peace I need for both is my God. Only because God allows it am I able to enjoy what is offered here. He is the One who is powerful enough to oversee the entire universe, and nothing catches Him by surprise, and no one is powerful enough to unsettle him or change his perfect will. Men can build walls or high fences, but nothing can stop danger from coming. Men can employ the best security devices or schemes, yet none of them can stop death from coming, if it is time. The Lord is the Master of the Universe, and all things answer to Him. If He commands, even the devil obeys. He is my Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble. He offers me all of Him, and he waits for my response. Would I trust Him, or do I want to continue in my own wisdom? Eternity is too long a time not to be sure of your response. God's time of favour is here.
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