NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP, BUT WILL IT BE A PEACEFUL SLEEP?

SCRIPTURE:
“In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” 
(Psalm 4:8)

MEDITATION:
The world is in a dilemma. 
It is bent on severing all relationships with God, but when that happens
people have no place to retreat to except within themselves.
When we realize there is no safe retreat for us, 
it can crush the life out of us.

We cannot lie down and sleep peacefully 
as long as we have conflict with others.
Our conflict with others is a reflection of our conflict with God.
Something has to give at some point.
It is not healthy to continue our resistance to God’s Will.
As long as we continue to hold on to our own will, 
we will be at odds with God.

If we want to have a safe retreat where we can lie down and sleep peacefully,
then we have to have to come to terms with who is in charge of our lives.
If it is ourselves, then we will continue with a life of conflict.
If it is God, then we will be able to experience real peace.
If we want to become peacemakers and get along with others,
then we must first make our peace with God.

ACTION:
Are you living a life of turmoil?
Does it seem that you move from one conflict to another?
You may have brief periods of peace, but it does not last.
Others have a “zag” for every “zig” of yours.

You might have tried various ideas and techniques to live peacefully 
with everyone, but nothing seems to get the job done.
Why keep frustrating yourself; start where you need to begin.
Make sure you have made peace with God first.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, my soul desires peace with others and peace with myself.
Ultimately I want to be at peace with You. Forgive me for continuing to be 
controlled by my own desires and whims, and help me to give You control. 
Teach me that when I accepted Your salvation, I made a public statement 
that I was giving my life to You. Help me to follow-up on my commitment 
and sincerely give You control. I know that when You are in control, I can 
experience the type of peace the psalmist mentioned.”

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