Tag Archives: sleep

Though Tens of Thousands Assail Me

05 Saturday Aug 2023

Posted by in Psalm 3, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

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Backyard hollyhocks — photo by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 3

LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”
But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.
I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.
Arise, LORD!
    Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
    break the teeth of the wicked.
   From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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The One Who Lifts my Head High

04 Saturday Aug 2018

Posted by in Bible, God's word, Psalm 3, Psalms

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I will praise Him!

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Lake Placid, NY — photo by David Kitz

LORD, how many are my foes!
    How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
    “God will not deliver him.”
But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.

(Psalm 3:1-6, NIV)

A Heritage from the LORD

22 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Bible, God's word, Psalm 127, Psalms

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I will praise Him!

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1955 — Children are a heritage from the Lord — photo by Wanda Kitz

A song of ascents. Of Solomon

Unless the LORD builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Children are a heritage from the LORD,
    offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court.

(Psalm 127:1-5, NIV)

Confidence in Times of Adversity

24 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by in Psalms

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Reading:                                           Psalm 3

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”

But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people (NIV).

Reflection

When do you most need God?

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An Abandoned Prairie Home— photo courtesy of Donald Adam

The answer to that question is easy—when I’m in deep trouble. It’s natural to call out to God when I’m in some great or urgent need. A returning veteran from the First World War said it best, “There are no atheists in the trenches. When the artillery shells start exploding to the right and left even unbelievers discover how to pray.”

The context of Psalm 3 is of great significance. David finds himself in the midst of a life threatening tragedy. He is fleeing from his palace in the nation’s capital, because his son is conspiring to murder him and seize the kingdom from his hands. Here is the great delta—the extreme low point in David’s life.

How does David respond? With utter confidence in God! Yes, he calls out to the LORD for deliverance, but he does so with complete assurance that God will answer. There isn’t the slightest hint of doubtful desperation in his voice. Having prayed to the LORD, he boasts in his ability to sleep, because he knows God will answer.

How could David be so confident—so self-assured? Actually, David’s assurance rested entirely on the LORD, not on himself. David had a wealth of experience with God. In his mind, the LORD was tried, tested, and true through the ups and downs of life.

He knew something we need to know. God will come through. He will bring salvation and deliverance!

Response: LORD God, save me from all my troubles. I put my confidence in you. You reach down to me at the low points in my life. You have never abandoned me. Amen.

Your Turn: Take a moment to reflect on the goodness of the LORD. Has He saved you from deep trouble in the past?

The LORD Sustains Me

15 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm

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I will praise Him!

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The Lord sustains me — photo by David Kitz

But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.

I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.

(Psalm 3:3-6 NIV)

Even While I Sleep

02 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep (Psalm 127:2, CEV).

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Koi fish in a roadside canal. Kamakura, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is sleep.

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that God never sleeps. Because the LORD never sleeps, we should be able to take our needed rest in peace. Today’s verse from the Psalms affirms that truth.

It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep (Psalm 127:2, CEV).

We live in a high stress world. There are so many demands on our time and energy. It’s so easy to get caught up in doing, doing, doing with no time for sleep, rest or relaxation.

Sometimes I need to be reminded that God works while I sleep. The garden grows while I sleep. Answers come while I sleep. Troubles melt away while I sleep, because God takes care of his own. My anxious ways hint at a lack of faith on my part.

Response: LORD God, I place my troubles and concerns in your hands. I am so glad that you work the night shift so that I can enjoy my rest. I trust you to care for me. Amen.

Your Turn: Do worries keep you awake at times? Do you need reminders that God takes care of his own?

He Won’t Go to Sleep

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble (Psalm 121:3, CEV).

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Moss covered bowl, Kamakura, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is sleep.

Though we need sleep, God does not. As today’s verse from the Psalms makes clear, He is the God who never sleeps.

The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble (Psalm 121:3, CEV).

Nothing illustrates this truth quite like the story of when the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Under the sway of Queen Jezebel Israel was divided about which god they should serve, Baal or the LORD. Elijah proposed that the god who answers with fire is the true God who is worthy of worship.

The prophets of Baal were given the first opportunity to have their god ignite their sacrifice. When Baal did not answer the entreaties of his priests, Elijah mocked them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he’s day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he’s asleep, and you have to wake him up” (1 Kings 18:27, CEV).

Elijah doused his sacrifice with water and when he prayed the LORD answered with fire from heaven that consumed even the stones of the altar. Hallelujah!

Our God is alive! He is awake! He never sleeps!

Response: LORD God, I thank you that you are my protector. You surround me with your ever-present care. Because you never sleep, I can always call on you. Amen.

Your Turn: What do the LORD’s constant care and protection mean for you?

Wake Up Refreshed

31 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, LORD, protect me (Psalm 3:5, CEV).

Chimney - by Karen

Fireplace chimney—photo courtesy of Karen Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is sleep.

Did you get a good night’s sleep? I hope so. Sleep is essential for our health and well being. God designed us that way and when we don’t get the required amount of sleep our body protests. Ultimately a tired body is an unproductive body.

Worry and various forms of stress rob us of the sleep we need. But in today’s verse from the Psalms David makes this observation:

I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, LORD, protect me (Psalm 3:5, CEV).

 

David wrote these words when he was fleeing for his life from his son Absalom. Here he was in the midst of a huge disaster. His son had conspired against him and forced him to flee from Jerusalem. Yet despite the incredible stress King David was under, he slept well. He had committed his life to the LORD, so David could sleep in peace and awake refreshed.

You and I need quiet confidence in the LORD that can bring us through times of stress.

Response: LORD God, grant me confident faith that you will help and protect me during stressful times. My help comes from you. Thank you for the gift of refreshing sleep. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you sometimes have trouble sleeping? What works for you?

Before I Go to Sleep

30 Monday May 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night (Psalm 63:6, CEV).

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Stairway to the moon — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is sleep.

Our thoughts tell us a great deal about what we value, what attracts us and what we consider important. In general, when our mind is idle or at rest, it turns to the things we love. During such times, David’s mind turned to the LORD. We know this because he penned this verse:

I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night (Psalm 63:6, CEV).

Where do your thoughts go before you go to sleep? Does your mind turn to the Lord as you review the events of the day? Is there a moment of thanksgiving as you consider how events unfolded?

If we love the Lord and are in covenant relationship with Him, then our thoughts should turn to Him as naturally as taking our next breath. Sleep comes easily to those who commit their way and their day into God’s hands.

Response: LORD God, I want my mind to turn to you quickly and easily. I always want to be mindful of your love for me. Your eyes are on the sparrow and on all I do as well. Amen.

Your Turn: Does it require some self-discipline for you to think about the LORD?