Midweek Message - Restful and Peaceful

Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (NIV)

     The other day I heard a simple short prayer to ask of God each night. It comes from the Cistercian monastery tradition which the monks recite just before their nighttime prayers end. It goes like this:

     “O Lord, grant me a restful night and a peaceful day.”

    It’s a beautiful prayer and one which I need every single day, especially during these turbulent and trying times. The words quietly remind me that God watches over us all through the night when we sleep and also seeks to support us during each moment of the day. Getting enough sleep is a problem for most people, so perhaps praying this short prayer will enable us to place our hearts and minds, bodies and souls into God’s hands until we wake in the morning.

     I think that the writer of the fourth psalm also experienced this blessing. His nightly surrender into the arms of God enabled him to let go of his daily worries and troubles, in order to be comforted and strengthened by God each night.

     So, whatever you’re facing today, I hope that God grants you peace and when it comes to lying down tonight, may your sleep be restful and your dreams be full of bliss.

 God bless you all.

 

Short devotion - How Long?

Short devotion – How Long?

Psalm 4:2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?

How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? (NIV)

            The great sadness that I carry in my heart these days is seeing people that I thought I once knew, who are being deceived and deluded by intolerance and arrogance. They have transferred their faith from God’s glory and placed it into the hands of unscrupulous, powerful people. They have genuflected before the altars of ignorance and prejudice, believing in human idols who are glorified and worshiped like demi-gods, whose wickedness and crimes are whitewashed and set aside, excused and even embraced. I used to feel sorry for those among my friends who have been led astray. I now sadly realize that their true selves have been revealed.

            The Bible continually warns us of being led astray by false gods. The story of Israel is a history of God’s people constantly forgetting their Creator and Deliverer by turning to corrupt leaders and wicked kings who promised to make them great again. The story of Christ is similar, especially when His people blasphemously cry out “We have no king but Caesar!” They do this in order to kill Jesus to get rid of His woke ministry and allow the political powers to crucify Him.

            The same is true for the New Testament Church which faced fierce opposition and persecution because it dared to place its allegiance not in an emperor, military banner, or symbol of power, but in a meek carpenter who died for the entire world of sinners, outcastes, and aliens. True humility was cherished more than tarnished honor; grace and mercy were embraced more than greed and malice.

            We also live in such times and, sadly, like in the past, those who follow false gods will not admit their idolatry or change their misguided ways. However, as always, the remnant of those who truly believe in Christ’s compassion and love will eventually triumph. The truth will not be defeated and the glory that is due to God alone will not be shamed.

Point to ponder: Am I guilty of following a false god?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, challenge our churlish behavior and childish ways. Preserve us from accepting bullies who only serve themselves. Keep us living lives of love and compassion in these days of deception and hate. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.