By Psalms 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
It is currently 3:42 in the morning. I have been awake for the past two hours unable to fall back to sleep. It is ironic to me that the verse of the day provided by the YouVersion Bible application is regarding sleep. The verse does not promise every time I lay down to sleep, I will have a peaceful, refreshing, and nourishing rest that will be undisturbed by noises and thoughts.
The verse reminds me of the story in 2 Kings 6. Elisha’s servant woke early in the morning and saw a fearful thing. A Syrian army with chariots and horses had come at night and was surrounding the city. Elisha was still in bed fast asleep. The servant yelled in fear, “alas my master! What shall we do?” Elisha prays and asks the Lord if he would please open up the eyes of the servant so that he could peer into the unseen realm for a moment. God grants Elisha’s request and the servant sees that the “mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha”. Was there a reason for the servant to be afraid when he woke? Absolutely! Was there a reason for fear after his eyes were open and he could see he was protected by a mountain of angels? No! The sight would have brought a sense of safety and peace because of their total protection. And this is the sense of Psalm 4:8. If we are the Lord’s, we have nothing to fear. For the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them”. (Psalm 34:7)
May the Lord of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing upon Him this day!
Leading Family Devotions 