Sabbath Psalms - Needing to Sleep

Psalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves.

God must love an awful lot of people on Sunday mornings, especially if He grants sleep to those He loves! Being a preacher, you get to see the whole congregation on Sundays, so sometimes watching folks fall asleep is a quick indicator that I'd better get the sermon finished and bring the message home quickly!

But sometimes people fall asleep because they feel safe, not bored. God's House is a sanctuary to them, a place where they can feel secure, loved, and welcomed. Sometimes people fall asleep because they've endured a grueling week - hard work, worries at home, stress - all those qualities of modern life. Whatever the reason, being cradled in Christ's arms at church is a beautiful thing and, after all, isn't our Sabbath supposed to be a time of rest?

After a tumultuous week for everyone, some folks may also feel depressed by the election results and just want to hibernate for a while. That’s okay, too. Disappointment is hard to carry at times, so quietly withdrawing and taking time to decompress is probably essential for their well-being. If you feel that way yourself, please just take time to be embraced by God and replenish your spirit. Know that you are dearly and divinely loved, cherished by Christ and supported by His Spirit.

Point to ponder: Have I used up all of my energy recently? Am I willing to seek God’s love to refresh me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us as we are. You know all about our busyness, our energy highs and lows, our weary weeks and merry months. Thank You for accepting us as we truly are. Your Love touches our hearts, and we feel safe in Your arms. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Broken Bottles - Matthew 24:35

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

            “My head is full of broken bottles” is an old Glaswegian saying from Scotland that I sometimes experience and express.  To me, it means that I can’t really concentrate on what I need to do and that my focus is all out of whack. It usually occurs after a bad night’s sleep or a stressful time. My mind can’t fix on anything and I’m relatively unproductive until it passes.

            When I go through those moments, Bible verses like the one for today reassure me that Christ is in control and no matter what happens, His words will endure. The older I get, the wiser Jesus becomes. When I am weak, He is strong. When my mind is scattered, He is mindful of me.

            Perhaps you’re feeling something similar today and don’t know what to do about it. Maybe the solution is that sometimes we don’t have to do anything – we just have to allow ourselves to be embraced by Christ and depend on His promises.

Point to ponder

How am I feeling today? Am I letting Christ hold on to me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are there for us in so many different and reliable ways. You know our needs before we ask; You understand our feelings before we express them. Thank You for always being near to us. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest worship bulletin drawings called “Love Your Enemies.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Love.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can find the church’s website at this link: www.erinpresbyterian.org. John and the congregation would be delighted to see you there at any time J