"I go to bed and sleep in peace ... you give me security in my home." Psalms 4.9

Who has never experienced the least rough night ? This has happened to me, as to many others certainly. Nights where sleep seems to flee because we are tormented by various health problems, material or family problems ... Do not be guilty about reading this verse, do not think that we lack faith if our nights are troubled. Job experienced these agitated nights : "I have many nights of suffering for my lot ... I am filled with agitations until daybreak" (Job 7: 3-4).

Security and peace come from the fact that we remain in the communion of the Lord.

The Bible takes care to inform us that in the eyes of God, Job was an upright and upright man (Job 1.8). The apostle Paul, too, experienced sleepless nights because of the churches' concern (2 Corinthians 11: 27-28). If they have had their lot of troubled nights do not be surprised that this happens to you as well.

To understand this verse, let us remember this: the psalmist speaks to us about the sleep of the one who feels safe in his dwelling. If he had had to live in the street, without the protection of a roof and well-closed doors, perhaps he would not have known that peaceful sleep. This is the case of many homeless people who are much more afraid of insecurity than of cold or loneliness. For the psalmist, peace was linked to remaining in a safe place. In a symbolic way we can see an allusion to these texts of Scripture : "He who dwells under the shelter of the Most High, rests in the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91: 1) ; And abide in me, and I will dwell in you ... "(John 15: 4).

Security and peace come from the fact that we remain in the communion of the Lord. By remaining in this communion, even if we are going through moments of trial like Job, we know that we are not alone, and "his staff and his staff reassure us" (Psalm 23: 4).

The most extraordinary example of the Bible is that of Peter, chained, guarded by sixteen soldiers, knowing that the next day he is destined to die, and yet sleeps peacefully (Acts 12: 6). Certainly, Peter has put into practice what he teaches in his epistle : "Discharge him from all your worries, for he himself takes care of you" (1 Peter 5: 7).

Advice for today

While your nights are troubled, do not seek peace, but seek the Lord and abide in him. It is in this intimacy that you can feel safe and peaceful.

Paul Calzada

Source (The Thought of the Day)