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.

Speechless Silence

Today’s devotional takes aim at carnality in Christian conservatives. Perhaps it is because I attend a church where many are filled with the Spirit and being used by God that I cannot agree with his accusations. If anyone reading this is stuck in a congregation that is largely walking in the flesh, they can heed Tozer’s rebuke and seek the face of God for renewal and cleansing.

Yesterday our church seemed the most precious place to be. Prayer before the service — a great blessing, worship —rich and sweet, the message — filled with truth and fellowship after during brunch —special. How can I describe these to anyone who is carnal? They would nod their heads and say something like, “Nice” and miss the blessedness of peace and joy God gives to His people who seek Him.

All week we have experienced the Lord’s presence in a special way. A family crisis put continual prayer in our hearts and a gracious God kept answering those prayers, one by one, detail by detail. We are amazed by grace, by His attention to a situation that overwhelmed us and looked dire — except to a God for whom nothing is impossible.

Yesterday was icing on a cake. It was our opportunity to praise God from the bottom of our hearts, right to the bottom of our toes! Today’s verse sums it up, not merely for me who is rarely in danger but for the one in our family who desperately needed His power to bring her peace and safety.

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

We arrived at church filled with the joy of answered prayer and wanting to shout the glory of God from the top of our lungs. Then we met a woman who glowed with that glory. She came from a country that forbids faith in Christ. She was saved as a child watching the dramatic changes in her father’s life who was saved while alone in his room where he met Jesus Christ. She came out of that world, moved to an island where she could practice medicine (her skills are remarkable) and learned a new language and culture. Then, after a few years, she came to our country, learned English, and is nearly completed a degree in advanced medical training. Her story and her face proclaimed the glory of God.

Tozer writes something that decorates the entire week. It describes my hours of prayer, long periods of silent worship, and a Sunday that brought heaven very near. He wrote: “More spiritual progress can be made in one short moment of speechless silence in the awesome presence of God than in years of mere study.… The exposure may be brief but the results are permanent.”

^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, with face turned toward You in silent worship, my heart is filled to overflowing with the wonder that You came, You are here with us, You listen to our prayers and answer our deepest needs sometimes before we can articulate them. You are totally incredible, an awesome God, a precious Savior. I’m sad if someone claims to be a Christian and mostly still goes their own way, slugging it out in the ditches when they could be oblivious to their own selves and lost in the joy of You.