Dwelling in Safety

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”—Psalm 4:8

We are a culture consumed with safety. For those of us at a certain age, we grew up playing with toys that had lead paint, drank water straight from the tap, went to schools that had asbestos, rode bikes without helmets, rode in cars without car seats or seatbelts, and drank soda made from corn syrup! It’s amazing we ever grew up!

We should be concerned with safety. With all of the advances in technology and health care, we are acutely aware of the dangers that we encounter on a daily basis. But, we know that even after we take prudent precautions, there will always be something else outside of our control. It is at moments like these when we must be reminded that it is God who is sovereign—we are not. It is God who gives us safety. He is the one who gives us rest and sleep (Psalm 127:2). He is the one who Himself does not slumber or sleep (Psalm 121:4). He is our refuge, our protector, and ever-present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1). It is ultimately God and Him alone who gives us the sweet rest of safety. He might work through our safety measures, or He may not, but in any case, it is God who ultimately keeps us safe and gives us rest.

May we rest in His sovereignty, and claim the promise in Romans 8:28, “For we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Amen.