Rest in peace

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.  — Psalm 4:8

A man has created a safety bed which he claims will provide protection against hurricanes, tornadoes, thieves, kidnappers, and terrorists. The inventor’s Web site calls it “the safest rest you’ve ever had.”

When a motion sensor detects a threat, the “Quantum Sleeper” automatically folds up around its occupant. Inside the bulletproof canopy, an alarm awakens the protected sleeper, who can spray tear gas on the intruder — or watch a movie on the DVD player while waiting out a storm. Even so, I suspect that not even an armored bed can guarantee a good night’s sleep untouched by anxiety or fear.

Psalm 4:4-5 has a three-part recipe for finding peace in a troubled world: When you’re angry, don’t express it by disobeying God. When you lie down at night, do it in heat-searching silence. Live sacrificially, putting your trust in the Lord. An old hymn affirms this biblical instruction:

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

David concluded his psalm, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (v.8). And that is without a doubt the safest rest we’ll ever have. — David McCasland

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms?

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms. — Hoffman

READ: Psalm 4:1-8

He rests well who rests in Jesus.

The Bible in one year:

• Psalms 16-17

• Acts 20:1-16