Peaceful Sleep

Lately I have taken to use the old Book of Common Prayer as an aid in some of my time with the Lord. For the night prayer it begins with “The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.” Then there is a suggested confession of sin (a good practice at the end of the day). But what I want to turn to is the Psalmody - Psalm 4; 31:1-6; 91; 134 (these are all recommended to read at night). In particular I want to look at Psalm 4.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have given me relief when I was in distress.

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;

the LORD hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”

7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

In particular I want to highlight verses 6-8. Contextually, the psalmist (David) is in distress - he is in the midst of some pretty troubling circumstances. However, he is also quite confident in the Lord - that the Lord will hear the prayer of the godly (the faithful ones). When we come to verse 6 there is an answer to a taunt of sorts. The insolent insinuate that there is nothing good. Then comes the plea to the Lord: Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD! To have the Lord’s face put upon you is a great blessing (see Numbers 6:25,26). So, in essence, he is making an appeal for the presence of the Lord. And then the statement that is fairly shocking (not shocking as untrue, but shocking as to the weight of it) - that the Lord’s presence has brought more joy in the heart than any abundance of wealth and goods. This is something we confess, but how often do we experience this?

I think as we have had so much pulled away from us in this very strange time that perhaps the Lord is showing us this reality. He is showing us what matters the most. As I’m stuck in our bedroom for who knows how long, I want the joy of the Lord. I want the presence of the Lord and the blessing of that presence.

So as I laid down last night I went to sleep with the promise of verse 8 that is based on the presence of God - and in his presence I (and all his children) can sleep with confidence in the Lord.

It was harder to think of song to go with all this, but this one will work - and I don’t believe you’ll need the lyrics. It’s called “Give Me Jesus” by Fernando Ortega. May this be the cry of our hearts and the basis of our confidence.