I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)
Psalm 4:8 reminds us of the source of unshakable peace and security – our relationship with God. King David was all too familiar with the difficulties that life may bring. He experienced victories and defeats, successful and humbling moments, and happy and sad times, But despite everything, he was comforted by his unwavering faith in the Lord.
David says, “In quietness, I will sleep.” The significance of these words is immense. Let’s think of how peaceful it would be to lie down and close our eyes as the day’s stress faded. It is a symbolic gesture of handing our worries and problems to a loving God; it goes beyond physical rest.
Why is David able to sleep soundly? The second section of the verse—“For you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety”—contains the solution. David understood that neither his surroundings nor his power guaranteed his safety. It is God’s unchanging nature. He realized that no matter what was happening around him, God’s presence was his haven and that he could find shelter there.
Let’s decide today to consciously give the Lord our worries and fears and place them at His feet. We will find security in the arms of our Heavenly Father, just as a child feels safe in the arms of a loving parent. He will help us with our worries and loves us very much.
Remember that the same God who watched over David is watching over us when the challenges of tomorrow seem hopeless. Our safety rests in the steadfast love of our Heavenly Father, not in our skills or possessions. Let our hearts rest, knowing that only God can make us dwell in safety when we close our eyes tonight in sleep.
