Psalms 23:2, David so poetically describes, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters (NIV). The verse reminds me when as a child I would lay in an open field and gaze up at the heavens. I'd imagine God leaning over his throne to catch my eyes. I would peer sharply through the clouds perhaps like Stephen who laid dying saw Christ stand to His feet. Once I pretended to be asleep so my father could carry me up stairs and tuck me in bed. I felt so safe and loved in those arms.
And there is a photo of me at 14 years old lying down on a grassy lawn at a Florida mission boot camp waiting for the next directions while others were busy registering. That summer marked a life changing moment when I traveled to Brazil with a team to build a church.
Gone are those childhood moments when the world seemed safe and I felt secure in it.
Today the world in which I live is on edge from terrorism, mass shootings and contentious politicians. Of foreign powers who want to test and launch nuclear warheads. The church is to be our safe haven. But the spiritual leaders of America have done little to help a nation that has broken free from her moorings anchored in God's word. They have accommodated and compromised for some acceptable standing in the world's eye or at best to build their own personal kingdom of sorts.
If anything the American people like myself know little of rest and sense of safety. Just check the shelves where you can buy sleeping medication. It's nearly empty!
I think of Christ asleep during a terrible storm when the disciples accused Him of not caring for their safety. Jesus rebukes the storm and peace is restored (Mark 4:39). Beloved, there will be many storms in our lifetime. But only Christ can bring lasting peace to the turbulent emotional storms. Or when illness rages the body or the heart sinks with dread.
We have this promise no matter the season of our lives or the times we live in. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.(Psalms 4:8).
Beloved, God gives us rest for our souls. Ask Him, as I so often do, for rest - a peace that permeates to the depths of soul. We can lay down and rise fully rested because He who never slumbers or rests, watches over us (Psalms 121:4).
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