DEVOTION / Are your comfortable?

How's your pillow?

Maybe you've seen the TV ad. It promises if you buy this pillow, it will mean "the best night of sleep ever"! Or there are the commercials that boast of the special mattress you need because you spend so much of your life in bed. So far, I have resisted those calls to spend my money in search of the perfect "sleep number."

I’m thinking today of the Old Testament account of Jacob running off to safety after he has deceived his father for his brother Esau's birthright. Genesis 28:11 recounts that when Jacob reached a certain place, taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. If you remember that story, Jacob had a pretty sweet dream lying on that seemingly "not-so-comfortable" pillow.

The dream itself is worth a read in Genesis 28. Jacob is treated to a glimpse of heaven and receives a number of wonderful promises--including the reassuring words that the Lord will watch over you wherever you go.

Uncomfortable circumstances

Despite the uncomfortable circumstances, Jacob found himself in, he realized when he awoke that the Lord "was in this place." He even took that "stone pillow" and set it up as a memorial to the Lord there.

All of us find ourselves sleeping under "uncomfortable circumstances" at times. Maybe it's broken relationships, unrepentant sin, illness, or financial difficulties. The list goes on, and it really doesn't matter where in the world we live. This is true of our friends in China, as well as for us.

Remember God's promises

Those uncomfortable times are the perfect time to look to the Lord and to his promises.

• In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8)

• The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).

• Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).

• When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:24).

Prayer thought

Dear Lord, we count on your Bible promises that you are always with us. Protect us and keep us safe in your loving arms . . . even when we are in "uncomfortable circumstances." In the powerful name of Jesus we pray.

Source: Dave Payne