Rest In Peace

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.

Psalm 4:8

CARMEN KNEW SHE was being ridiculous, but she couldn’t help it. Ever since she’d read about increased nighttime burglaries in her city, she was having a hard time sleeping. She reminded herself that she and her husband not only had good locks on all their doors but also had two big dogs roaming the house at night who would bark at anything unusual.

But Carmen still stirred at every noise. She often either couldn’t get to sleep or woke in the middle of the night and stayed awake. She felt an almost compulsive need to be a sentry for her family, while her husband and kids slept peacefully. Often she was up until past four in the morning, the time she’d read most burglaries happened. Then, when the danger hour was over, she was finally able to sleep. Not surprisingly, her sleep schedule began wreaking havoc on Carmen’s days and on her work quality.

Fortunately, about that time, Carmen ran across the Scripture verse we’re focusing on today. She realized that, in a sense, her sleeplessness was related to a trust factor. Since she’d done the practical things to protect her home, she needed to leave the rest of her concerns in the Lord’s keeping. It took a while, but as she meditated on this verse and repeatedly committed her family’s nights and home to the Lord, she eventually began to enjoy that nighttime peace.

Have you ever had concerns that kept you up at night? God wants you to enjoy peace and rest. Turn your concerns over to him. His rest will fill your quiet hours.