We can sleep safe, secure in God's hands

Finally, an extra hour of sleep I don't have to feel guilty for!

In case you've missed it, or are awake at what is "supposed" to be your normal routine, daylight saving time has ended. We are now, at least if you are outside of Arizona, Hawaii and parts of Indiana, in standard time. After living near and driving through Indiana for four years, I would have never thought that the Hoosier and Aloha states had something in common.

We have now entered standard time.

Finally the dog and I won't have to take our morning walks in the dark and my kids are not at the bus before the sun has shown itself. Oh, but that precious, guilt-free extra hour of sleep. My wife and I are a couple of sleep-starved parents; that extra hour will be like a slice of heaven.

In the Bible the word "sleep" is mentioned in 77 verses. Its use varies from descriptions such as what is happening in a story, to the warnings of too much sleep. One verse in particular draws attention to the security not that sleep brings but the security that comes from trusting in the Lord which allows sleep.

King David in Psalm 4:8 reads, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe."

Sleep can be disrupted by any number of things. A late night meal that upsets your stomach might keep you awake. Too much caffeine too late in the day could have you tossing and turning. Stress can just keep you from resting.

David was no stranger to stress. He stood toe to tow with lions, giants and bears (Oh my). Yet even when King Saul was hunting him down he did not lose sleep. In the midst of situations that would cause most of us to lose all hopes of sleep, he was able to rest.

He knew that his life was not completely in his hands. He would make decisions of both war and peace throughout his life but he always knew whom to trust in.

This Psalm says we can trust God and rest. We can rely on him, and sleep in peace. We can confess that whatever the out of control circumstances are they are not beyond His control and slumber.

The blessing of sleep is the security of the Savior.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.