“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8
I tossed and turned, restless to finally succumb to
sleep. I prayed, I read for a little
bit, and I counted backward from 1000 until I realized that wasn't working
either. Then, it dawned on me that peace
had just totally escaped me. I could not calm myself
down. I felt vulnerable. I heard every little noise both inside and
outside, and realized worries were popping into my head like fires, faster than
I could rid myself of them.
What I needed in that moment was for peace to wash over me
like a flood. Maybe you’ve been there
too. Unfortunately, I’ve had more of
those nights than I would like to remember. And
sometimes, I’m supposed to be awake so I can pray for someone that God has put
on my heart. But usually, my problem is
that I can’t manufacture peace. I have
to ask my Heavenly Father, the Author and Sustainer of peace, for enough of it
to sustain me through the night. I
sometimes have to beg Him when it doesn’t come right away. But sooner or later, if I choose to trust Him
and lay all of my worries at His feet in prayer, peace comes. He pours His perfect restful peace into my heart and helps calm my restless heart and head.
And with it, comes sleep.
Because He brought it, and not because of anything I could do on my
own.
Thank you, Lord, that You let me
dwell in safety. Help me to keep hoping in Your peace the
next time I can’t sleep. I am safe in
Your arms, and I can lay my cares at Your feet and completely rest in Your
presence.
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