Rest Easy
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Introduction - Trouble Falling Asleep
Introduction - Trouble Falling Asleep
Have you ever had trouble falling asleep? Are you plagued with issues falling asleep regularly -if so you need to seek some help, just kidding, but maybe perhaps maybe you have trouble falling asleep because you are not able to just rest easy. Now I also want to give you another reason and another perspective to being unable to fall asleep - it may be that Jesus just wants to spend some time with you at that time. No one and nothing to distract you and He has your attention. Thats one way to look at the issue with being unable to fall asleep.
Another thing keeping you from falling asleep is as I said earlier perhaps you are unable to rest easy - rest does not come to you easily. Many things on your mind, worries, anxieties, situations and circumstances in your life are robbing you of being able to rest easy. As we open and come to Psalms 3 and Psalms 4 what I discovered for myself is that these Psalms fit together under the theme of being able to sleep. This sleep found by the Psalmist is regardless of life and its circumstances and it comes from being able to rest easy. As we cover these two Psalms we will see 6 ways in which we can begin to rest easy so we can sleep better.
1 Lord, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. 2 Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah 3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4 I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side.
7 Rise up, Lord! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people. Selah
1 Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. 2 How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah
3 Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. 4 Be angry and do not sin; reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. Selah 5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord.
6 Many are asking, “Who can show us anything good?” Let the light of your face shine on us, Lord. 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.
Distressing Circumstances
Distressing Circumstances
1 Lord, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. 2 Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah
Psalms 3 begins with the Psalmist writing about how his foes or enemies increase - speaking both in number, size, scale, strength, magnitude and importance in their opposition to him. The psalmist says there are many who attack me. Go back just before verse 1 A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom. This is the first Psalm with a title, and the thing to note about this title is it is part of the canonical text of scripture. Take these titles in Psalms with absolute seriousness as you encounter them. This Psalm is written by David when he was fleeing from his son Absalom.
1 After this, Absalom got himself a chariot, horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, “What city are you from?” If he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”
3 Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.” 4 He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.”
5 When a person approached to pay homage to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him. 6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 When four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I made to the Lord. 8 For your servant made a vow when I lived in Geshur of Aram, saying, ‘If the Lord really brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron.’ ”
9 “Go in peace,” the king said to him. So he went to Hebron. 10 Then Absalom sent agents throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron!’ ”
11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, for they did not know the whole situation. 12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase.
13 Then an informer came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” 14 David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Get up. We have to flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! Leave quickly, or he will overtake us quickly, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
David is at this point is an old man and his son plots against him for the throne. David finds himself in old age fleeing the safety of the palace because of his own son. Surrounded by enemies without the known safety of the palace. Quite a troubled time to be in right? Surely this situation would cause one to disrupt rest and ability to sleep or rest easy. David continues on and says many say there is no help from God for him. Heavy hearts lead to distracted minds and rob us of our ability to rest easy
Help is the word yeshua — no salvation or deliverance from his time of trouble. The belief was that the rebellion in David’s house towards David was his own fault. Some might say that karma is what David was finding himself stuck in right? What goes around comes around. You know that karma is a false religious belief though - is it the same as the golden rule — do to others what they have done to you? No the golden rule is to do to others what you WOULD have them do to you. Karma is a false religious belief but the true Spiritual Law is the law of sowing and reaping found in Galatians.
7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap,
The people believed David was getting what he deserved - from his own sin as an adulterer, a murderer, for his wars and also for his lack of addressing his own home.
Davids first born son Amnon committed a heinous act against Tamar Absalom’s sister - by raping her and then casting her out from his presence. David did nothing to discipline his son for he was his first born son and he loved him very much. Absalom therefore lay in wait and plotted and had Amnon killed. Absalom fled and was exiled several years. David’s reluctance to discipline Amnon drove Absalom to turn against David and when he did come back from exile it was to begin to usurp the throne. 2 Samuel 13-14.
The thought was is that this is the bitter fruit of what David has sown and they said there is no help from God - he is beyond God’s help. What a horrible place to be. Our enemies and situations all surround us and tell us that our God has left us or abandoned us and there is no hope of being delivered. “It is the most bitter of all afflictions to be led to fear that there is no help for us in God.”
Then we read the word Selah SAY-LA - this is a new word we are introduced to and it is one we will see continually in the book of Psalms. The meaning is mostly unknown and mostly found in Psalms but also occurs in Habakkuk. David uses this word 20 of the 39 times in Psalms. It is thought to be related to identify the way the music is to be played or the Psalm sung — the most widely accepted meaning for this word is a PAUSE or REST. A PAUSE or a REST to stop and reflect on what was just written.
Here are 6 ways we find in which despite circumstance and troubles we can rest easy.
Refocus Perspective
Refocus Perspective
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 4 I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah
Is it true that any are beyond the help and salvation of the Lord? Is it true when we say there is no help from God for us? Thats a lie from Satan - he wants us to believe that we are beyond God’s help and God’s salvation - but what did Jesus say in Luke?
4 “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?
SELAH - rest pause - reflect - reflect upon truth and upon God. Remember what we saw in Psalm 1 and Psalm 2?
Blessed is the one... whose delight is in the Lord’s instruction
All who take refuge in Him are blessed
That’s what David does here and watch the mood change as David goes from focusing on how big his problems are to focusing on how great his God is. When we take our eyes of our enemies and problems and put them on God we begin to rest easy. David says BUT YOU LORD are a shield around me. Others say there is no help from God but David knew His God was shield around him. The word for shield here isnt the kind a warrior would take into battle to try to hide behind and was inferior because it left parts exposed. The idea here and a better translation in today’s vernacular is that of a force field that surrounds us.
Refocused on the truth of God David says you are my glory. Nothing to glory in his circumstances no he would find glory in his God
7 My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God.
He acknowledges God is the one who lifts his head - the one who exalts, the one who restores and the one who will restore his throne to him. How much rest do we miss because we try to work out how to get something or trying to stop something that is in God’s hands anyway? David trusts the Lord to restore him to the throne. You can rest easy when you look to and trust God to restore and resolve things in your life.
David says I cry aloud to the Lord and he answers me from his holy mountain. David is expressing several truths here as his focus has returned to his God. First no matter where he was or what was happening he could always call out to God. God is never busy or away where He cannot hear. David knows that God hears him because he says God answers me. Rest easy knowing God hears and answers those who cry out to Him. David says he answers from his holy mountain - no matter who is king God is on the throne. Rest comes easy knowing God hears and answers and also is still sitting on His throne!
Right Trust Brings Rest
Right Trust Brings Rest
5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side.
Again a SELAH a rest or PAUSE to consider knowing God is on the throne. After the pause David lies down and sleeps. Assured of God’s protection David lies down and goes to sleep. The sweetest kind of sleep, a gift of God to those who trust Him in the midst of life’s most distressing circumstances. Upon awakening the Psalmist recognizes that it is by God that his life is sustained. In this chaos he slept and awoke strengthens his courage that he would not fear thousands of people who have taken their stand all around him.
Blessed both, by sleep - despite the rebellion most would find sleep to escape but in God David slept, also blessed by waking with so many against him how would he survive if he slept? Sleeping is a vulnerable time. When you are asleep you are unconscious quite dead to the world. Think of all the things going on that are being used to sustain you - your organs operate, your brain works, you breathe and your heart beats rhythmically. We take it for granted but the same God who sustains us while we sleep will sustain us also in our difficulties.
When you trust in the One who truly sustains you find rest easy.
Call Upon God
Call Upon God
7 Rise up, Lord! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people. Selah
Call upon God - God sustains and God protects so call upon Him! Call upon God for not just help but to give the complete victory. David says rise up Lord save me my God. You strike my enemies on the cheek and you break their teeth. You insult and shame them and destroy their power and ferocity.
David looked for protection but more than protection David also looked for victory in and through God. It is not enough to survive we must seek the victory and in God we can be assured of victory. Salvation belongs to the Lord - it is something He holds and can give. This does not mean prayer is no longer necessary. The grace that sustained us last night will not do for today. His mercies are new everyday
22 Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!
Remember Past Faithfulness
Remember Past Faithfulness
1 Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
This Psalm is titled for the choir director with stringed instruments. For the leader of choirs or musicians and should be accompanied by stringed instruments. These two Psalms based on similarity in expression and structure may have stemmed from the same crisis. If this is so David probably wrote Psalm 4 after awaking sleeping in the midst of danger.
David calls and says answer me God who vindicates - declares and makes righteous. You have freed me from affliction be gracious and hear my prayer. David looks to the faithfulness of God in the past as confidence to come to Him now and trust Him for the future. Past mercies are a great ground for present favor - God is and remains faithful.
David says you have freed me from affliction - other translations say relieved me in my distress - Darby’s New Translation puts it this way.
1 When I call, answer me, O God of my righteousness: in pressure thou hast enlarged me; be gracious unto me, and hear my prayer.
In pressure you have enlarged me. Pressure usually compresses and shrinks we wouldnt usually think of pressure enlarging. Think of pressure to inflate tires or balloons in those cases the pressure is used to enlarge. God uses pressure in our lives to enlarge us spiritually. While prosperity does little to this end adversity does much to enlarge us spiritually.
Spurgeon has said it this way - I am afraid that all the grace I have got out of my comfortable and easy times and happy hours might almost lie on a penny. But the good that I have received from my sorrows and pains and griefs is altogether incalculable.
Faith Sets Apart
Faith Sets Apart
2 How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah 3 Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.
4 Be angry and do not sin; reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. Selah 5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord.
Faith sets us apart - its what makes us different in God’s eyes. Our faith in Jesus sets us apart unto Him. David’d enemies are mortals just like him and Absalom intended to ruin David’s reputation. David prays for them or perhaps even for himself how long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? How long will you seek and hold on to a reputation among men that means nothing is worthless and vain?
SELAH - a pause and break again to reflect
David says know this the LORD has set apart the faithful for Himself. God distinguishes between men through faith. God has always operated and answered to those who come in faith - Abel Noah and Abraham and all the way down God responds to those who come by faith. David in faith calls to God and because He calls in faith He knows God will hear Him.
Do not look to your situation to determine your standing before God, instead realize it is your faith IN God that sets you apart and then you can rest easy in your circumstances and distresses. David realizes that the effort to overthrow him is futile and useless because he is on God’s side. He got on God’s side through faith - God sets apart the faithful.
8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.
14 Zion says, “The Lord has abandoned me; the Lord has forgotten me!” 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.
16 Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.
You are specially, distinguishably His special people through faith!
31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Who can stand against us successfully if God is for us?
Be angry and do not sin - reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. Cease from wailing and lamenting about your situation or your enemies. We can be angry but we must not sin - we must be angry in the righteousness of the Lord.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
Do not allow your circumstances to lead to overflow of anger that brings us to sin. In sin we will not be able to rest easy. When we stray from allowing our anger to carry us to sin we can rest easy.
SELAH
Instead of overflowing in anger and leading to sin we can instead offer sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the Lord.
6 At night I remember my music; I meditate in my heart, and my spirit ponders.
55 Lord, I remember your name in the night, and I obey your instruction.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. Selah
Only In the Lord
Only In the Lord
6 Many are asking, “Who can show us anything good?” Let the light of your face shine on us, Lord. 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.
Who can show us anything good? Let the light of your face shine upon Lord — David says for those who want to see what is good need only the face of the Lord. Only look to the Lord. David says You Lord have put more joy in my heart than when they have their festivals and good times.
Trusting in the Lord provides a joy. Even in distress and away from evidence of God’s goodness David enjoyed peace and safety in his God.
True joy and peace come from God and not circumstances and so they cannot be taken away - but we can give them up. We surrender our joy and peace when we take our eyes of Jesus and put them on our problems.
David can sleep well at night even in distressing times and surrounded by ungodly and enemies. He sleeps well because his safety is from the Lord. You can rest easy when your security is found in the Lord only, not in circumstance or even in feeling, but in the Lord only.
G. Campbell Morgan points out that the idea is not that it is not just the Lord and none other, but the idea is that David and (we) find safety in solitude with God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Seek His light in the midst of your darkness and find peace and security that allows you to rest easy.
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.