God blesses — even in sleep…

 

If anyone thinks we must choose faith I’d like them to explain only one experience. I went to bed last night filled with worry about someone and unable to dispense with my fears. But I did fall asleep. An hour or more later I woke up, filled with joy and glad that God was in charge of that person and would take care of her. I went back to sleep. Morning came and faith was right there with it. I didn’t do anything, only felt a deep sense of gratitude.

John Piper’s devotional for today is a tribute to John Owen and his understanding of our communion with God. Instead of quoting these writers, I’m thinking about the levels of God speaking in the life of young Samuel. He’d been given to the Lord as a child: 

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. (1 Samuel 3:1–7)

However, God had spoken to his mother and she listened. This is why Samuel was in this place. My husband and I have both seen how God spoke to our lives long before we knew Him and put us in situations where He wanted us to be. As self-governing sinners, it seems so unlikely we were listening, yet somehow God made things happen that fit with His plan.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:8–10)

There came a day when we heard God speak too, knew it was Him, and we were compelled to believe by the amazing gift of faith. How do I know it was a gift? Ephesians 2:8-9 says so, agreeing with my experience but also in light of Romans 3:9ff, knowing that I did not do this myself. Not capable or even willing. Jesus also said:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16)

As much as I’d like to take credit for at least hearing Him, I cannot. He knocked at the door of my heart and saying NO never entered my mind.

Up to a point, most of my communion with God is one-sided. He talks; I listen. Yet the more I listen and respond to Him, the more I hear and understand. Owen points out that I can talk to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, yet these distinctions are not always distinct to me. I have no idea who came to me in the night and changed my fears into joyful faith. Was it the effect of sleep? I think not. I slept only a bit more than an hour before wakening in joy. Yet somehow God chased away my fears, and very likely the author of fear was ordered out, showing me again that my salvation from sin is not up to me to renounce it. Nor is rebuking Satan always up to me. If need be, my Savior does it, even when I’m asleep!

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

PRAY: In the fatigue of a very busy week, and the pressures of so many needs about us, prayer has been vital and so has sleep. I feel weak and helpless, but You are with me and taking care of all things. I am so very thankful.

Creating a prayer chapel . . .

The author of this devotional booklet I’m reading offers instructions for prayer. Today he says to find a place or environment to pray without distraction or interruption. He realizes this will be difficult for some and tells of a lawyer who prayed on his daily commute be learning how to become deaf to distractions. He imagined himself meeting with Jesus and built “a chapel in his soul” so he could spend time in prayer on a train.

Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Mothers with young children know that the only way they can escape behind a closed door is when their little ones are asleep!

As an aside, Jesus also offered instruction in what to pray, not using “empty phrases” thinking we will be “heard for our many words” but to follow this pattern . . .

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:6–15)

I’ve read this many times, but this morning noticed the priorities. First, honor our relationship with God and each other. It is “our Father” not “my Father.” Then exalt who and where He is. Ask regarding His rule and will, knowing He is sovereign. Finally, ask for daily needs, daily forgiveness, and daily protection from temptation and evil. Jesus emphasizes the need for forgiveness by repeating its importance.

As for a place to pray, Jesus went to lonely places in the wilderness and on mountains. That would be nice, but not possible for everyone. However, it does point out that I can pray outdoors.

Isaiah prayed in the temple where he “saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1) I can pray in my church, a place of worship.

Moses talked to God in the wilderness beside a burning bush that was “burning, yet it was not consumed” and God called to him out of the bush saying, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground . . . . I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” From there, God gave Moses instruction for the important part he would play in the history of God’s people. (Exodus 3:2–11) I can pray in the wilderness as Moses did.

Samuel was just a small boy asleep in the temple of the Lord when the Lord called to him. At first he thought it was the voice of the priest, but was told otherwise and to return to his bed. Eventually, the boy responded with “Speak, for your servant hears” and communed with God from the place where he slept. (1 Samuel 3:1–10) I can pray lying on my bed.

The Bible has a host of other examples. My preferred place is to pray while I am walking. This helps me shut out distractions, particularly if I go outside. When I stay in, my to-do list, a ringing telephone, and a host of other things tug at me. The only problem with walking outside is that I tend to pray out loud, and that can gather unwanted attention.

As I read these and other passages this morning, I’m thinking that having a special place might help in setting a habit, but what about those times when I cannot go to that place, or am on holidays? For that reason, I like the lawyer’s idea of building a chapel in his soul. Then, not matter where I am, I am taking my place of prayer with me.