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Rest and Renewal

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. Psalm 3:5 

 Now I lay me down to sleep 

 The old 18th Century childrens bedtime prayer rightly attributed our ability to close our eyes and rest in Gods faithful keeping.  

 In Psalm 3, King David offered up a bedtime assurance. In Davids case, it wasnt general and speculative. His was specific and experiential.  

 The title of Psalm 3 reads, A Psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. Look at the opening verses at the start of this passageHow many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 

 What will you face today? Hopefully it wont be as troubling as someone wanting to take your lifeyour own child, pursuing you with an army to that end. 

 David didnwrite this while he slept in the comfort and safety of a palace, surrounded by servants and soldiers. He wrote it as he fled—he was on the run, likely sleeping under the stars or in a cave or crevice.  

 His circumstances were life and death. That scenario would render any human being restless. Sleeping with one eye open is no sleep at all.  

 Yet David confidently attributes his ability to lie down and sleep, and also the assurance of waking in the morning, to God. While his enemies raged around him, David knew he could sleep soundly in Gods protection and rise again by Gods providence.  

 The dangers didnt keep him from sleep. Hed awake, refreshed, because the Lord sustained him. 

 When you face troubling circumstances or endure trying seasons in life, where do you turn to find quietude in your heart? What is as good and refreshing as sweet and restful nightsleep? As a brand-new day? As hope? Have they been in short supply?  

 Turn as David did to your God, your Rock and Redeemer.  

 My prayer for this week: 

Heavenly Father, As my responsibilities occupy my mind, the things of this world clamoring for my attention, my finite mind and abilities leave me wearyYou are both my Maker and Sustainer. You see clearly the things that trouble me, their temporal nature in the context of your eternal good. Please help me to rest in you, and to awaken in hope, with renewed expectation of your glory.