Monday, December 16, 2019

The Sixteenth Day of Advent


Monday, December 16, 2019
The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His Son:
An Advent Devotional Guide

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:7-8

Just as many of you do, I have an alarm system in my house. I set it when I go out, in the evening when I sit and read, and before I go to bed at night. It would warn me if an intruder broke a lock or a window. But that system does not help me sleep!

Years ago, I found the verse above, and it revolutionized my nights! I have a terrible habit of not being able to “turn off my brain.” I read or plan or work on projects in the evening, and then when I lay my head on the pillow, I continue to work on those projects when I should be going to sleep. Using this very verse, God has helped me to learn to turn off my brain, let my heart’s gladness redirect my thinking, and go to sleep in peace. It’s wonderful, and it works! Oh, sometimes I forget the lesson, and he has to teach me again, but most of the time, I go to sleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow!

The root word for “safety” is the same as for “save.” When we recognize our “safe” or “saved” position, accomplished by the Prince of Peace, by some miracle of grace, that wonderful promised peace takes over, dispelling fear, apprehension, insecurity, and anything else that keeps us awake!

God, who made us and knows all the things we need to be prepared for living, protects even our sleep by helping us lie down and rest in peace. We only have to learn to receive from him this peace he wants to give.

Father, help us to learn to receive from your hands the gift you want to give. Help us to receive with gladness the peace that you want to give us, even in rest. Amen

The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His Son:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2009
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

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