Sunday, December 8, 2013
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep…
The title of this post comes from the words of one of the first prayers I learned as a child. Perhaps this was true for you as well. When I think of the moments in life when God has comforted me, having this prayer to pray as a child was one of those moments. Children seek comfort from their parents as a natural course of events. God is our Father, and we are drawn to seek comfort from Him in the same way. And God tells us in the scriptures that He will respond when we seek that comfort from Him and that we can trust that He will respond.
Psalms 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
David wrote this to God both as a call for comfort and mercy, and as a way I think to acknowledge Him and say thanks. In the first verse David calls out to God. When the evil is around him, he knows that God is looking for the godly, those that will follow after Him. We are not perfect, but if we ask for forgiveness God will give it to us, and we will be forgiven. The sacrifice of righteousness in this case is to put our lives on His alter and be humble enough to seek forgiveness. When we do, we can trust God to do His part to show us His goodness and look upon us as the children that He loves. The result is the gladness of comfort in our hearts, and we can rest in peace, knowing our God will keep us safe.
Sometimes our childhood prayers hold more treasures than we knew.
Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as our Protector and Deliverer. Please watch over Your people today and keep them safe. Please help us to turn from sin and toward You. Be strong on our behalf, and deliver us from the evil that may come today. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.