I laid me down and slept;
I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 3:5, 4:8
We recently added a beautiful, apricot-colored double doodle to our family. Izzie’s bouncing energy makes her whole-body wag in anticipation of the greeting she is sure every person is waiting to give her. Our older doodle, Leili, helps her expend a lot of her energy until she finds a quiet place to get away from the never-ending playtime Izzie has in mind. Walks highlight the peak of their day, and they wait at my bedroom door in hopes that I am putting on my tennis shoes. As soon as the door opens and they see my sneakers, they tear down the stairs to wait for the donning of their leashes. Izzie often grabs her own leash and pulls herself in circles trying to take herself on a walk. She is a never-ending source of puppy entertainment!
We recently had to start Leash Training 101 with them both, as they thought they were in training to become champion sled dogs. Unfortunately, I was on foot. A You tube training video greatly helped this clueless pet owner, and the solution was much simpler than I would have ever expected. The trainer would change direction unexpectedly while calling the dog’s name and saying a code word, such as, “let’s go!” Soon, the dog was working in tandem with the trainer, and looking to him for the next direction. He knew what he was supposed to do, and when he didn’t, he looked to his trainer. The trainer observed that the dog became calmer because he was no longer anxious about being in charge of where he was going and what he was supposed to do. The dog’s job was simply to obey and trust the one holding the leash. Leili picked up on the lesson quickly, but Izzie is still a work in progress. With enough repetition, she will also learn to trust the one holding the leash and relax in that understanding.
David’s verses typed above illustrate the same kind of trust that brought him rest amid his escape from the son determined to usurp his kingdom. If you are not familiar with David’s story, this struggle was the direct result of choices David had made to despise God and His Word. Though repentant and forgiven, the consequences were unavoidable. David’s trust in God remained steady through it all. He had entrusted the “leash” of his life safely in the hands of the One David knew loved him completely and had created him with purpose and plan. This was the only way David could lay down in peace and sleep, though on the run from his own son.
Proverbs 3:5-6 are familiar verses often memorized in the early years of the Christian’s walk with God.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
The word trust in the Hebrew indicates the action of “throwing one down upon his face or to lie extended on the ground.” (Bible Hub app, Strong’s Concordance. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/982.htm)
In other words, it is confidently and securely placing oneself at the mercy of another.
The two verses following those instructions give more direction, though they are not as widely memorized.
Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel,
and marrow to thy bones.
Proverbs 3:7-8.
Verse 8 caught my attention today. “Health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Not only does trust in God promise us His direction, but as we trust Him rather than our own inclination and sin-filled thinking, He indicates that the whole of our health will be affected for the better. Because our lives are made in the image of God, who is a trinity, our soul, body, and spirit depend on one another for health.
In Psalm 51:8, David specifically asks God to
Make me to hear joy and gladness;
that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Choosing to not trust and obey God has consequences that affect our emotional, mental, and physical health. Even in my own life, I have suffered the consequences of trying to lead God my way, rather than leaving the course and direction up to Him. Anxiety, disappointment, discouragement, and even depression left my bones feeling broken and my heart far from joyful.
God’s Word has so much to say about rest.
Psalm 37:7-8
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:
fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psalm 95:7-11
For he is our God;
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation,
and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
When your fathers tempted me,
proved me, and saw my work.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation,
and said, It is a people that do err in their heart,
and they have not known my ways:
Unto whom I sware in my wrath
that they should not enter into my rest.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 5:40
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Hebrews 4:9-12
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
These passages from Hebrews 4 delve deeply into the subject of rest. Ceasing from one’s own work literally places all hope for deliverance from sin into abundant life into God’s hands. What does that look like in daily application?
He becomes my Salvation, to save me from sin without any works of righteousness that I can add. (Titus 3:4-7)
He becomes my Shepherd, to lead and guide as He sees fit. (Psalm 23)
He becomes my Sanctification, the One who leads me in the way of righteousness as I yield to Him. (Titus 2:11-14)
He becomes my Sustainer, the One I run to for every need. (Hebrews 4:16)
He becomes my Strength, making me stronger in my greatest weaknesses. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
He becomes my Song, the praise of my life as He redeems, restores, and renews me by His grace. (Psalm 118:14)
This is by no means a completed list of all that God longs to be for His children. As you study, let me know what other things you learn about our great and merciful Savior!
As for me, the picture of my little Izzie trying to take herself on a walk leaves an indelible mark on my heart. The futility and frustration of leading myself for too long drives me wholeheartedly to the rest that God offers me to “take His yoke upon me and learn of Him.”
I look forward to hearing from my readers. If there is anything that I can pray for or any questions that you might have, please send an email using the form below, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
His Song in the Night 