I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD;
your blessing be on your people! Selah
When my great-uncle, Earl Boyer, stayed with us during my childhood, he would yell, “Rise and Shine!” at what seemed like 3 AM. We would rise but shining would be for another time. Like noon. The Lord is not like that. The psalmist cries out to God to arise but in the previous verses, we can see that he is not concerned that God will be asleep. The psalmist lay down and slept. That may create a bit of envy in those of us who lie awake as our minds wander, wondering and worrying about what will happen and who will get us. David could have done that but he slept like one who is in the everlasting arms of a protective Father. He sustained David.
He will sustain you. All that time worrying will not solve or save. Salvation belongs to the LORD and not to you or me. The Lord Jesus Christ is with you always, until the end of the age. There is no place for restlessness or uncertainty. The assurance of salvation goes hand in hand with the assurance that you are not alone. He will save you from your enemies as sure as he saved you from your iniquities. Our job is to simply believe that his blessings are on his people. Then…
Lie down and sleep.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church