December 24th, 2020
Family Tree Devotional Series - Week 4 – Peace – Pastor Mark White
A Peace that Brings Sleep
Acts 12:6 (NIV)
“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains.”
Despite being chained between two Roman soldiers and facing the possibility of execution the next day, Peter was asleep. He probably was the only Christian who slept that night. It seems that Peter was in such a deep sleep that it took a hit from an angel to wake him up: “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell.He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
What gave Peter such confidence and peace that he could sleep so soundly? He knew that he belonged to the Lord. In Psalms 4:8, David said, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” And David’s son Solomon wrote, "He grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:2).
Most of us know what it is like to wake up in the middle of the night with things on our minds. When this happens, I will usually pray. I will say, "Lord, it’s 3:00 a.m. There is nothing I can do about these things. I’m going back to sleep; I know that you got this." Philippians 4:6–7 tells us, do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, prayer, and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Do you sleep in peace? It is a great thing to go to sleep, knowing that you belong to Him.
A Peace that Brings Sleep
Acts 12:6 (NIV)
“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains.”
Despite being chained between two Roman soldiers and facing the possibility of execution the next day, Peter was asleep. He probably was the only Christian who slept that night. It seems that Peter was in such a deep sleep that it took a hit from an angel to wake him up: “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell.He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
What gave Peter such confidence and peace that he could sleep so soundly? He knew that he belonged to the Lord. In Psalms 4:8, David said, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” And David’s son Solomon wrote, "He grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:2).
Most of us know what it is like to wake up in the middle of the night with things on our minds. When this happens, I will usually pray. I will say, "Lord, it’s 3:00 a.m. There is nothing I can do about these things. I’m going back to sleep; I know that you got this." Philippians 4:6–7 tells us, do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, prayer, and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Do you sleep in peace? It is a great thing to go to sleep, knowing that you belong to Him.
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