Psalm 4:8
I can lie down and sleep soundly
because you, Lord, will keep me safe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On
the way home from church today, we discussed taking an afternoon nap.
“Grandma E” said that she was going to have a nap. Uncle Greg and I
both said we planned to take a nap. Timothy even said a nap sounded
good to him. But 3-year-old Zola said, “I’m not napping! I’ve already
napped today!” Most days, neither one of these children wants to take a
nap! Like most little ones, they consider naps and sleep to be a total
waste of their time and energy! They fail to see the rejuvenating
benefits of rest and sleep. And if they happen to be afraid of
nightmares - or as Timothy told me recently, “monsters who will attack
me while I sleep”…they do not see anything safe and protective about
even a brief slumber.
Several years ago, I was feeling restless,
uncertain, frustrated…and weary. One day, I closed my eyes to pray…and
as I did so, I pictured Jesus extending His arms to me. He was wearing
the softest, silky white robe…and He beckoned me to come to Him… just as
an adult would welcome a little child. I imagined myself sinking into
his arms…felt the softness of the sleeves of His robe as He engulfed me
with His arms…and nestled against His strong chest as He gently – but
firmly – drew me against His body. I relaxed, rested, and “slept
soundly” – if only in my mind – as Jesus soothed and protected me.
There
was a fleeting recollection of being nuzzled and snuggled like this as a
child…maybe not by someone in a flowing robe…but I could recall feeling
safe and protected in the arms of a strong, loving presence all the
same. Many of us probably felt the safety and security of a “grown-up’s”
arms… or crawled into the lap of a beloved parent, grandparent, aunt or
uncle and slept soundly.
But imagine the arms of Jesus
welcoming you. Think of His strength and power intertwined with His
gentleness and affection. Settle in for a while…rest and relax. Are
you able to imagine this? Are you so comfortable and confident in your
relationship with Jesus that you can envision taking a nap in His arms
and allowing Him to protect you from anything and everything that is
threatening or unpleasant? Can you refresh and rejuvenate in His
presence and “awaken” feeling more confident in His wisdom and care?
Is
the LORD truly your refuge…your place of shelter and rest? Even when
“life is good” do you find yourself crawling into His lap for even a
brief snuggle and visit? Can you lie down and sleep soundly, because
you know that the LORD keeps you safe? Isn’t this the perfect day to
“fall into the arms of Jesus” and relax? The time has come to crawl
into Jesus’ lap and sleep well. Aren’t you ready for a nap?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label God is our Safe Haven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God is our Safe Haven. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 18, 2012
John 15:7-10
But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.
I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Think about a time you were in an uncomfortable situation. Have you ever been to someone’s home…or to a party, place of business, or some other sort of function where you felt out of place or uneasy? It’s a miserable feeling! Now think of a place where you always feel comfortable… envision the home of your friend or family member where you instantly want to kick off your shoes and settle in… a cozy, warm, inviting place you love to visit.
Now think about your relationship with God. Does this make you feel comfortable… or do you start to squirm a bit and feel uneasy? When you imagine yourself communicating with God… worshipping Him…seeking comfort… do you immediately feel warm and welcomed – peaceful and at rest?
I am a huge “homebody.” I hear people tell me that they do not enjoy staying at home. I am totally the opposite. I am comfortable, productive and busy, calm and at rest when I am at home. When my grandmother was hospitalized for a week, I was there with her every day. I would turn into our driveway at night and exhale a huge sigh of relief. Just the sight of our house made me feel loved and at peace.
You know the feeling when you kick off your “good clothes” and get into your comfortable sweats or pjs? That’s how it feels to be intimately at home in God’s love. This doesn’t mean you can get lazy and complacent in your faith… that you can expect God to listen and act upon your requests and meet all of your needs. That would be like me never leaving the house and expecting groceries to magically appear in our pantry and refrigerator! There is work to do… and effort must be put forth on our part. But we can do all things with the confidence that God is with us. He is our Safe Haven of comfort and rest. As long as we stay close to Him and operate within His will, we will feel at home in His presence.
Where is “home” for you these days? Are you comfortable in God’s presence - and with your “Spiritual self?” Have you wandered away and forgotten where you live? Isn’t it time to “turn into the driveway” and make yourself at home in God’s love? C’mon! Kick off your shoes and stay awhile. Operate in God’s commands - and settle in with His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.
I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Think about a time you were in an uncomfortable situation. Have you ever been to someone’s home…or to a party, place of business, or some other sort of function where you felt out of place or uneasy? It’s a miserable feeling! Now think of a place where you always feel comfortable… envision the home of your friend or family member where you instantly want to kick off your shoes and settle in… a cozy, warm, inviting place you love to visit.
Now think about your relationship with God. Does this make you feel comfortable… or do you start to squirm a bit and feel uneasy? When you imagine yourself communicating with God… worshipping Him…seeking comfort… do you immediately feel warm and welcomed – peaceful and at rest?
I am a huge “homebody.” I hear people tell me that they do not enjoy staying at home. I am totally the opposite. I am comfortable, productive and busy, calm and at rest when I am at home. When my grandmother was hospitalized for a week, I was there with her every day. I would turn into our driveway at night and exhale a huge sigh of relief. Just the sight of our house made me feel loved and at peace.
You know the feeling when you kick off your “good clothes” and get into your comfortable sweats or pjs? That’s how it feels to be intimately at home in God’s love. This doesn’t mean you can get lazy and complacent in your faith… that you can expect God to listen and act upon your requests and meet all of your needs. That would be like me never leaving the house and expecting groceries to magically appear in our pantry and refrigerator! There is work to do… and effort must be put forth on our part. But we can do all things with the confidence that God is with us. He is our Safe Haven of comfort and rest. As long as we stay close to Him and operate within His will, we will feel at home in His presence.
Where is “home” for you these days? Are you comfortable in God’s presence - and with your “Spiritual self?” Have you wandered away and forgotten where you live? Isn’t it time to “turn into the driveway” and make yourself at home in God’s love? C’mon! Kick off your shoes and stay awhile. Operate in God’s commands - and settle in with His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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