Tuesday: ARE YOU SLEEPING OKAY?

Jun 28, 2022
2 min read

Lord, I’ve had a restless night tossing and turning. I couldn’t shut off my mind! Help me bring all my problems to You, so You can show me how to handle each one.

Psalm 4

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

When I’m in distress, I need to talk to somebody. I’m looking for relief, and I ask God for it. I call on the Lord in reverence, addressing Him as righteous and merciful.

King David’s distress was accentuated by the people He prayed for. The people in his kingdom loved delusions and sought false gods. David sought the Lord before, and the Lord answered him. In fact, he proclaims, “The Lord hears when I call to Him.” Calling on the Lord kept David up at night. He spent the night trembling in his bed, searching in his heart to hear the Lord.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: I have the same problem as David. I have spent restless nights wrestling with a problem. However, in some cases I was searching my heart for my own answers.

How can I keep silent when I’m wresting with something that stirs up my emotions? David says I need to tremble. I should realize I’m praying to the One who has all the answers, and I can’t solve the problem on my own. If I rely only on myself to try to solve my problems and don’t call on God, then I’m sinning and not pleasing Him. If I’m not pleasing Him, how can I hear from Him about how to handle my problem?

Instead of worrying, I should be offering the sacrifices of the righteous; I should be rejoicing that I’m releasing my burdens to my Heavenly Father! By worshiping Him, I am also placing my trust in Him.

Lord, when I trust in You, the light of Your face shines on me, and I feel peace. With peace, my heart fills with joy, and I can finally lie down and sleep because I’m resting in the safety of Your arms.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman