Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Samuel 26:12 (New Living Translation)

12 So David took the spear and jug of water that were near Saul’s head. Then he and Abishai got away without anyone seeing them or even waking up, because the Lord had put Saul’s men into a deep sleep.

This is part of the (hi)story of David on the run from King Saul. In this episode, David and Abishai sneak into and out of King Saul’s camp. They proceed unnoticed because God had put Saul’s men into a deep sleep.

Notice several things here: some people sleep well on some nights because God helped them to do so. Tired? Need rest? Feel restless? Know someone else in that situation? Pray. Ask God for a deep sleep. God has the power to bring it. Too simple? Nothing is too simple for God—especially when it is needed.

Also note that God uses something so simple and so common to change world events. God caused soldiers to sleep so that David could walk through their camp and change history. Everyone sleeps (well, the great majority of us do almost) every day. It is common and basic. Yet God influences it when God wants.

And let’s extend this. If God uses something so common as sleep to change the world, God can also use other common, everyday, simple things to change the world. Things such as a cup of coffee, a piece of toast, a biscuit, a shoelace that is untied, a broken chair, an unmade bed, a dirty windshield, etc. How long a list can we make of common, everyday, simple things that can cause us to change our course and affect the lives of many persons?

Pray. God, use this or that or whatever it is to cause me to love others more and to do the things You want me to do.