The New Under Ground Church-THE TRUTH MUST BE TOLD: An Unrestful Life?

Saturday, February 28, 2015

An Unrestful Life?

Posted on February 28, 2015 by nhiemstra

Have you ever laid in bed, tossing and turning? Are all of the unsettled issues of the day keeping you awake? Well, I have the solution and it won’t require you to take a bunch of meds to bring a deep, restful, rejuvenating sleep.
When my kids were younger, a couple of them had trouble getting to sleep, so every night I would pray over them, asking the Holy Spirit to teach them, even as they slept, and, here is what applies to you, I prayed, “Holy Spirit, watch over their thoughts, dreams and imaginations. Let nothing disturb their rest or cause them distress or fear. Allow them to wake up refreshed and renewed in body, mind and spirit.” Hey, it worked and when they woke up they were ready for my hearty and cheerful morning greeting! (Until they learned how to throw things at me. lol).
We always meditated on the Psalms before they went to sleep. For instance, look at Psalm 121. This entire Psalm is great for bedtime prayers. It is easily to remember, and it contains many truths if you are trying to sleep.

A song for going up to worship

I look up toward the mountains.
    Where can I find help?
My help comes from Yahweh,
    the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let you fall.
    Your guardian will not fall asleep.
Indeed, the Guardian of Israel never rests or sleeps.
Yahweh is your guardian.
    Yahweh is the shade over your right hand.
The sun will not beat down on you during the day,
    nor will the moon at night.
Yahweh guards you from every evil.
    He guards your life.
Yahweh guards you as you come and go,
    now and forever (Psalm 121)

As you can tell from the title, this Psalm was originally sung by pilgrims as they traveled to Jerusalem for an annual feast. They would travel in caravans and would face bad weather, rough terrain, hot days, cold nights, and, of course, the dangers that waited for them in the dark. This Psalm celebrates a God who is with us throughout all our journeys!
Among other things, this Psalm assures us that there is nothing to fear, but fear itself . . . ooh wait, that phrase has already been used. Okay, there is nothing to fear as we sleep! Though we drift off to sleep, “He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep. Indeed, the Guardian of Israel never rests or sleeps.” (Psalm 121:3-4). Now that should allow you take a deep breath of peace!
Another Psalm you can consider, is Psalm 139. Specifically verses seven through twelve:

Where can I go to get away from your Spirit?
    Where can I run to get away from you?
If I go up to heaven, you are there.
    If I make my bed in hell, you are there.
If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun
    or land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets,
even there your hand would guide me
    and your right hand would hold on to me.
If I say, “Let the darkness hide me
    and let the light around me turn into night,”
even the darkness is not too dark for you.
    Night is as bright as day.
        Darkness and light are the same to you (Psalm 139:7-12)

Come to think of it, the whole Psalm is worth memorizing! It reminds us that nothing can separate us from our God’s presence. Yahweh is everywhere. The night itself cannot hide us from Him. Read verse twelve again:

“If I say, ‘Let the darkness hide me
    and let the light around me turn into night,’
even the darkness is not too dark for you.
    Night is as bright as day.
        Darkness and light are the same to you” (Psalm 139:11-12).

Meditate on some other Psalms to find the rest you need:

“Yahweh commands his mercy during the day,
    and at night his song is with me—
        a prayer to the El of my life.” (Psalm 42:8)

“But you, O Yahweh, are a Shield that surrounds me.
    You are my glory.
    You hold my head high.
I call aloud to Yahweh,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah
I lie down and sleep.
    I wake up again because Yahweh continues to support me” (Psalm 3:3-5)
“You put more joy and rejoicing in my heart
            than then know when their grain and new wine have yielded abundantly.
I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down
    because you alone, O Yahweh, enable me to live securely” (Psalm 4:7-8)

How is that? Does that give some great news to meditate on? If your will spend time on these verses, rolling them around and allow them to spread and settle in your heart, it will revolutionize your walk with the Lord!
Nickolas

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With these Morning Messages, I take you on guided tours to, as Bunyan described, the Celestial City. At times we linger at corners familiar and unseen. And explore the depths of our faith along the way.

The trail is long, but there’s no hurry. Though we do need to stock up on supplies for the way, and that’s where I need your help. If you enjoy these messages, please consider becoming a contributing member of this tour group. It will be very much appreciated.