Musings on Scripture

One of the things that I hear consistently every time someone brings up the topics of religion, the Bible, church, etc. is that it’s not relevant for today. For some reason, as a society we don’t believe that something written over the course of modern human history can have relevance to the changing, evolving times we currently live in. How is a book which was supposedly written 2,000 years ago have relevance in an age where communication happens to millions of people in the blink of an eye.

Reading through Psalms 1-4, one thing struck me immediately. There are two references in this relatively small section to something that everyone today wishes they possessed in abundance.

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. ~Psalm 4:8

A simple promise, but one that says that we can rest in the Lord and sleep… completely peaceful sleep, because He will keep us safe. How many people today can honestly say that sleep isn’t something that they need more? Especially sleep that is peaceful?

As I read this, my mind immediately wanders and I begin daydreaming of a night of blissful sleep, free of the stress and worries of the day. A sleep that is so restorative, that I wake the next morning ready to face the day, knowing that the Lord (a higher power than ever I could hope for personally) is ready to be there for me and take care of it then too.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. ~Psalm 3:4-5

David called upon the Lord, was heard and then immediately laid down and slept. He was at peace, knowing that the next day he would wake up again, because the Lord sustained him. Of course, this doesn’t mean that David lived forever (death being a whole topic for another day), but it meant that David knew that he was not to fear, because the Lord had it under control one way or another.

Perhaps it’s the stress of the day/week/month that I’m currently in, but there’s nothing more relevant to me right now than hearing the promise that if we call out to the Lord, then He will grant us peace and sleep and the assurance that He will sustain us. And, for me personally, I know that I’ll be calling out for that peace and sleep tonight.