Week 2 Wednesday

Rest in Peace

Today’s scripture selection: Psalms 3-5

Key verses: Psalm 3-5

     Anyone who has ever seen a horror movie depicting a spooky old graveyard knows what the letters “R.I.P.” mean.  The phrase “Rest in peace” evokes an image of the funeral home parlor, not a good night’s sleep.  But today’s scripture passage suggests something else.  To rest in peace means to rest in the arms of the everlasting love of God.  And that is not meant to be something only the faithful enjoy after they slip off to see what those pearly gates are all about.  It’s a daily thing.  Or at least in can be.

     David had plenty of reasons for insomnia.  At the time he penned the Psalms in our passage today his own son Absalom had rebelled against him, and he wasn’t alone.  As many as ten thousand may have been in the force opposing the sitting king.  That will keep you up at night.  But what does David write?  “I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me.”  Rest in peace.

     All through that Psalm – and in seventy-one others – we find the word “Selah” off to the side of the main passage.  Scholars aren’t agreed upon what that word means.  Some think it is a musical direction to the singers and orchestra to play forte or crescendo.  In other words, they are supposed to really let their harps sing at that point.  Other scholars think it was a signal to lift up the hands or voice in worship.  Kind of like what some believers are moved to do in today’s contemporary worship services.  Whatever “Selah” means – one thing is cleared – resting in peace is something for which to give God our deepest praise.  When we are surrounded by enemies, real or imagined; when the odds are against us; when we are tempted to toss and turn in our beds – God’s word instructs us to give God our most heartfelt, thankful praise.  Rest in peace.

     So how have you been sleeping lately?  Have you been tempted to reach for a pill or a night cap?  Are you wondering if “ZzzQuil” really works?  Let me suggest another way.

     Tell God, as honestly and as calmly as you can, what’s on your mind.  Don’t hold anything back.  Trust me, He knows already – He just wants to have you initiate a conversation about it.  Tell Him how you feel; what is worrying you or angering you or hurting you.  Then just ask Him to take it off your shoulders and help you find a solution.  And finally, and this is most important of all, let it go for the night.  Don’t expect an instant revelation or remedy.  Leave that to God’s timing.  Then find something, anything, for which to give God thanks and praise.  I bet you’ll be dropping off to sleep in no time.  Rest in peace.

 

Prayer: Lord, in the still of the night, and the still of my soul, help me to find your restful, holy, peace.  AMEN.