Confess What Is True

This devotional considers the following passages: Psalm 3; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 32:7; Psalm 125:2; Proverbs 3:21-26; Psalm 127:2; Matthew 4:35-41.

There are seasons in life when we feel besieged. So much is required of us at home and work, in ministry. There’s our health, internal struggles from the ways we need healing, or are trying to get healing. There’s relationship struggles in marriage and friendships. Conflicts with people, some who don’t even know us. Finances. Finances. We’re not where we want to be in our life goals, and just made another bad decision, including doing nothing at all. You know your life and the weights you carry.

Consider today, though, that you’re also surrounded on all sides by the Lord. When he was in trouble, (and even in times of peace) the psalmist confessed what he knew to be true about the Lord.

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. 

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

With the Lord, there is deliverance and rest. But, one of the first things we lose (or give up) when overwhelmed is sleep, and we push through thinking that it just comes with the territory of being a parent, or of advancing in a career. There’s just no room for it. 

My encouragement is to seek out, understand and confess what is true. 

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. 

Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight…When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Pray and ask the Lord to make room in your life for the sleep and rest that you need, even when the storm is raging around you. Remember, Jesus demonstrated this for us. While his disciples thought they were all going to drown, Jesus slept. Jesus slept.

Amen.