How many times have you awaken in the night heavy hearted? There’s something going on with family or work and you think you’ve got it under control and then there’s that middle-of-the-night awareness and your peace is destroyed.
Laying there, all the what-if scenarios run through your mind and you figure you will never get back to sleep. All there is to do now is pray for morning. But wait…
“Here is a message for all who are weak, trembling, and worried: 4 “Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you.” Isaiah 35:3-4 CEV
“Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble and tottering knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Isaiah 35:3-4 AMPC
The Lord has given us a promise of peaceful sleep. Our bodies were designed to rest. Daniel slept in the lions’ den, Peter slept in a prison cell, and Jesus slept in the bow of a boat on a stormy sea. Each one of them was surrounded by their problems but they were in a place of peace; they were trusting God.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalm 4:8 AMPC
Our heavenly Father provides us with a place of safety, a place where we can trust in His protection and provision. He is there, always, during the watches of the night. Jesus knew this better than anyone and here is what he said:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.” Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC
When we are burdened and we come to Jesus He will give us rest. He wants us to learn from Him; He trusted the Father implicitly. He knows that’s where we will find true peace and rest.
I woke earlier than usual this morning and here are the words that filled my heart and my mind. They are the words of an old hymn which was first published in 1878. These are the words of the chorus and the second stanza.
Glory to His Name,
Glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!
I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within,
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!
Jesus, abiding (living, making his residence) within our hearts replaces the worry, the fear and the weakness with His peace and rest! May you rest in peace.