Worry-Free Rest

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city,  the watchman stays awake in vain. ² It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep."

Psalm 127:1-2

Have you ever lost sleep due to pressing worries or cares?  I typically sleep well, but there have been occasions when I struggled to sleep because my mind was working overtime on some problem out of my control.  If you can identify with this, you likely also can identify with this rationale:  "I just can't help it."  It is natural for all people - even followers of Jesus - to worry or fret over difficult or seemingly impossible situations.  There are a lot of things we naturally do which are sinful, and worrying is one of them.

I was blessed to read Psalm 127 this morning and have my mind renewed by God's changeless truth.  Recently we have been dealing with a drought in NSW, and God this past week has brought rain.  Worrying about dry creek beds and catchments cannot bring rain to fill them, but God is able to do so abundantly.  Worry wears us out, and we are best served seeking the God who does great works beyond number.  Psalm 127:1-2 reminds us our best efforts and labours are fruitless without divine aid.  God is almighty and sovereign, and without Him we can do nothing.

How awful it would be to work to exhaustion in building a house but in the end it proved to be all in vain!  I can imagine a tired watchman doing everything in his power to remain awake, but even if he does so it pointless unless God guards the city.  Seeing the advancing enemy does not mean you have the power to defeat the invaders.  Builders need supplies and strength from God to accomplish their task, and no amount of watchmen can prevent a city from ruin God has determined will fall.  It is good for us to realise the completion or preservation of God's work does not depend solely upon our efforts.  The watchmen of Jericho could not prevent its collapse, and we cannot do a constructive thing for God's glory without His help.

God gives His beloved sleep, and it is a shame for us to be robbed of such a gracious gift by our worrying.  Let us not miss the fact God's people are "His beloved."  The Good Shepherd knows it when a single sheep is missing or walking with a limp; He knows when the sheep of His flock are diseased and distressed.  He is the One who makes us to lie down in green pastures and leads us beside the still waters.  God is faithful to establish His people on a firm foundation and guards our souls from harm.  Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning from the One who has promised fullness of joy and peace which passes understanding.  Those who seek Jesus and find rest for their souls are benefited by sleep without interruption due to worry.