I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
Psalm 3:5

Early on in our marriage we found ourselves traveling, often staying in questionable neighborhoods. We would go to bed listening to people outside fighting, chaos, screams and shouting and threatening sounds outside, wondering if someone might steal the car and everything we owned, or kick down our door in the night.

It’s an uncomfortable feeling. It’s difficult to get to sleep and even more difficult to get a good nights rest and be ready to face the next day.

The first few times it happened I didn’t have much success. After a few sleepless nights I realized that if I didn’t start sleeping I would be putting us both in danger because there was a long road ahead of us the next day.

I also remembered this verse. I remembered that my life and everything I own isn’t mine; it’s all bought and paid for. I belong to Jesus, and He is better at taking care of me and mine than I am myself. I knew that we were where God had called us to be and doing what He had called us to do,  so I would put myself and everything I had in His hands and remind Him of that, and then I’d go to sleep. 

The next verse in the Psalm says, “I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.” (Psalm 3: 6)

I didn’t know at the time that it was all a part of my training for even scarier times ahead, but He has taken us through all of them safe and sound.

Lord, thank You for these promises. My life is in Your hands. I trust You to take care of me according to Your will. I rest, knowing that nothing can touch me without Your loving permission. I’m Yours. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles