Wednesday of Lent 3 – March 27, 2019 – Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety
Psalm
4 –
antiphon v. 7, “You have filled my heart
with greater joy than when the grain and new wine abound.” The hard work
put into spring planning and summer growth pays off in the fall at harvest. Who
isn’t overjoyed at a bumper crop? Yet the Psalmist reminds us greater joy is found
is in knowing the Lord who has filled the heart. In Biblical language the heart
is the center of the human spirit, from which spring emotions, thought,
motivations, courage and action, -“the
wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Many
nights there are countless people who’ve lost sleep to fear anxiety and worry. On the edge of wakefulness when a new scenario
pops into the mind. And it would take all your energy not to think of a way
around it. Many of you can relate. Your head hits the pillow; you take one look
at the ceiling and the thoughts flood in – What if? How come? Why is that? How
can I? How could he? What if she? The stillness of the night only gives these
thoughts more room to grow.
The
Psalmist reminds us “In peace I will both
lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Your need may be great. – Your circumstances
might possibly be overwhelming. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Regardless of
the situation His watchful eye is upon you.
When in the night I sleepless
lie,
My soul with heav’ly thoughts
supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my
rest,
No pow’rs of darkness me molest.[1]
Give ear to our prayers, O Lord,
and direct the way of Your servants in safety under your protection, that, amid
all the changes of our earthly pilgrimage, we may be guarded by Your mighty
aid; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[2]
[1] All
Praise to Thee My God, This Night stanza five, Lutheran Service Book © 2006
Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment