1 O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah
3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. 4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.
7 Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. 8 From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah

Re-read verse five. “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.” On at least five different occasions Jesus rebuked his followers for their littleness of faith. Now, this was not just the crowds of people who knew little of him and his work. This rebuke was given to the small group who became his special apostles. The words of on old hymn say: “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we often bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” We fail to have the peace that surpasses human understanding because we fail to trust God.

Perhaps one of the greatest demonstrations of real faith is when we submit ourselves to a doctor who makes us unconscious, cuts us open and then does whatever he deems necessary inside our bodies. Read the consent form that we sign. The “small print” at the bottom contains a clause that says in addition to what is planned to be done, he/she has the right to do whatever is deemed necessary at the time. That is faith in action!

When we put ourselves into the hands of the Great Physician and allow him to remove the old person of sin, cleanse us with his blood and make us new in his image, he has promised to continue to be with us every step of the way until complete recovery (a home in eternity) is achieved. This Doctor never makes a mistake. He never does unnecessary surgery and the only charge is that we trust him and allow him to do his work in us. The immediate result is described by Paul as the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Father God, I thank you for your forgiveness and for your promises to be with me and take care of me. I thank you that I can go to bed at night and sleep in peace and assurance that you will never leave me. Help me to never become proud or think that I have merited anything from you but always remember that I am and I have only what comes as a blessing from you. Use me in your service to strengthen, encourage and help others who are seeking you. Increase my faith each day. I pray in the name of Jesus. Robert