“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:7 NIV)
Every day last week I was busy teaching workshops, doing administrative work, talking with people, troubleshooting, and doing whatever needed to make the arts camp a success. (And it was! God was faithful and the week was amazing!). After camp was out each afternoon I would come home and work several more hours on whatever had to be done for the next day or later in the week. When I laid down to sleep at night, my brain would still race another hour or more, so that when the alarm went off at 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. I felt like it had been a rather short night. By Thursday when a friend brought me a delicious and well-appreciated “energy tea” from the local nutritional foods store, I was running on what another friend called “joy-fumes.” When you are “running on fumes” because you’re doing something you love, you are on “joy-fumes.” That’s definitely where I was by Thursday.
Saturday, after camp was over, I was able to take a day off for rest. Sunday at church I was in a conversation with a kind, older gentleman who had asked how camp week went. We agreed that intense weeks often result in sleep loss, but then he made a suggestion: “When you go to bed, don’t pray for good sleep but for good rest.” The Psalmist said it this way, “Relax and rest, be confident and serene, for the Lord rewards fully those who simply trust in him.” (Psalm 116:7 TPT). Other verses about rest and peace come to mind, too:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 NIV)
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)
“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14 NIV)
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24 NIV)
All these are beautiful reminders of God as the source of peace, no matter what we are facing. I have to admit that I wished he’d mentioned this simple prayer focus a week earlier! However, it is good to remember to return to rest with confidence and serenity, because God is good and fully rewards those who trust in him.
On that note, good night!
Jehovah Shalom,
Thank you for the reminder to return to rest in you when our circumstances are busy or struggling or even chaotic. Thank you for the peace you pour out on those who trust you. Thank you that we can give you all our anxieties, worries, and struggles because you love us and are present with us. Tonight as we approach sleep, may it be with a renewed appreciation for your peace that passes understanding, your abundant capacity to take care of us, and the deep rest that you offer to us. You are good, O Lord, and your mercies endure forever. We ask for your full reward as we return to you, trusting you for rest, in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)