Insights from Saint Bernard

Saint Bernard, who lived in the twelfth century, used to often to say to the monks in his care:

"However early they might wake and rise for prayer in their chapel on a cold mid-winter morning or even in the dead of night, they would always find God awake before them, waiting for them-nay, it was he who had awakened them to seek his face."

As I got up before sunrise this morning to go for my run, I thought about this quote. God had not been sleeping while I was asleep, but rather he was already awake and present with me long before I had fully opened my eyes. David spoke about this in Psalm 121:3-5

 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

May the knowledge of God's constant 'alertness'  fill you with hope and peace today.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

P.S. - don't forget that the 6th March 2019 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of our 40 days of preparation for Easter. Lent is a special time to draw near to Christ.

Sleepless nights

"I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. 
Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. 
 I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely." - Psalm 63:6-8

What keeps you awake at night?
Is it troubles or thoughts of the future?
Is it complicated relationships or issues with your friends?
Do you stress about the country or your personal finances?
Do you wonder about life, death and faith?

If some of these things keep you awake at night, why don't you try King David's solution. He meditated on the things of God - he remembered that he could rest secure in the shadow of God's wing. It is much easier getting to sleep, when we surrender our worries to God. He never sleeps or slumbers, so why not ask God to keep your anxious thoughts for you? Surely, it's worth a try.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

How are you sleeping? - Lent 4

How do you sleep at night? (…please don’t tell me, “with my eyes closed!”)

Do you sleep Peacefully?

…Restlessly?

In Psalm 4, David concludes his thoughts by saying: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (v.8)

He sleeps in peace because he has learnt to place his trust in God and he is convinced that the Lord helps him dwell in places of safety. I am convinced that David only gets to this place in his life, because he has endured nights of restlessness and insomnia. We often recognise the gift of ‘peaceful sleep’ after months of no sleep. 

Perhaps this is why he says in verse 4, “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” David spent too many nights dwelling on anger and bitterness, so now sleep is a tremendous gift to him.

So, tell me again, “how are you sleeping?”

Be at peace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3