I sleep with ear plugs—everywhere.
At home I like to sleep with the windows open and in the summer the frogs and the crickets can be a bit loud. Away from home it stops any ambient noise I am not used to from keeping me awake.
In other words, it gets rid of distracting noises that can prevent me from having a good night’s sleep.
As Christians, we need to wear spiritual earplugs. There is a lot of noise in the world that can not only distract us from focusing on God but can also fill our minds with lies and undermine our peace.
Remember, Satan (who has been allowed to run amok in this world) is the father of lies (John 8:44) telling us that the world’s ways (serving and satisfying ourselves) will bring us happiness, that our peace is reliant on the result of a particular election, or that we are not worthy of God’s grace.
In addition, sometimes our own hectic schedules, problems, and expectations can turn our attention off of God’s goodness and on to our own inabilities.
We need to plug those ears and take the advice of Scripture. First . . .
We need to stop.
“Be still and know that I am God . . .” (Psalm 49:10)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7)
Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord (Zechariah 2:13).
And then . . .
We need to focus on what is most important.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3).
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).
It isn’t easy tuning out the world and tuning into God, but as Jesus promised
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).
Rest easy. Sleep well.
At home I like to sleep with the windows open and in the summer the frogs and the crickets can be a bit loud. Away from home it stops any ambient noise I am not used to from keeping me awake.
In other words, it gets rid of distracting noises that can prevent me from having a good night’s sleep.
As Christians, we need to wear spiritual earplugs. There is a lot of noise in the world that can not only distract us from focusing on God but can also fill our minds with lies and undermine our peace.
Remember, Satan (who has been allowed to run amok in this world) is the father of lies (John 8:44) telling us that the world’s ways (serving and satisfying ourselves) will bring us happiness, that our peace is reliant on the result of a particular election, or that we are not worthy of God’s grace.
In addition, sometimes our own hectic schedules, problems, and expectations can turn our attention off of God’s goodness and on to our own inabilities.
We need to plug those ears and take the advice of Scripture. First . . .
We need to stop.
“Be still and know that I am God . . .” (Psalm 49:10)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7)
Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord (Zechariah 2:13).
And then . . .
We need to focus on what is most important.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3).
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).
It isn’t easy tuning out the world and tuning into God, but as Jesus promised
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).
Rest easy. Sleep well.
RSS Feed