May 12, 2014
I have had so many moments in my life where I just couldn't sleep. A troubling situation at church or in my life personally or the life of someone I love. An enemy that was after my hide and the devil's constant accusations. You name it, I've lost sleep over it.
King David faced the worst. His own son, Absalom, led a rebellion against him and drove him from his own city and throne. What was his response and what was the remedy to his burden and sleepless nights?
Psalm 3
1 O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.”
3 But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain.
5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.
THE REALITY
David had enemies. They were after him. It was not good. the future looked bleak. They were increasing and they were mocking the God he loved and served. There's no value in not admitting and facing the facts of the situation.
THE REALIZATION
But David knew something these foolish enemies did not. He knew God. He had known Him since childhood as the Lord had delivered him from the lion and the bear. He knew the Lord was a ""Shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head."" He knew God was big and sovreignly ruled over all.
THE RESPONSE
So what did David do? He cried out to the Lord with his voice. And what did God do? He did what He always does in response to prayer. ""He answered me from His holy mountain.”
THE REST
After David had discharged his burden and God had answered him he ""lay down and slept; and I awoke, for the Lord sustains me."" He was not afraid of ""ten thousands of people"" because He knew the Lord was with him.
The answer to my sleepless nights through the years? Television doesn't help, nor any other activity. The only thing that leads to a genuine rest is to go to the Word of God and prayer until God gives me a word, a promise, a scripture that answers my situation. He has done this hundreds and hundreds of times in my life. Always faithful. Then, I can lay down and sleep with God as my shield and protector.
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and grief to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to HIM in prayer.
O, what peace we often forfeit
O, what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
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