Contemplative Bible Reading

Leviticus 26:6 (New Living Translation)

6 “I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land.

This is a promise from God to the people if they “follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands.” It is a night’s rest with no fear.

Oh, what a promise. I confess that I long for restful sleep. I have bad dreams on too many nights and awake just as tired as I was when I went to bed. Sigh.

God’s promise here in the Old Testament is from a time when neighboring kingdoms would go to war in the spring of each year. It was the annual seeking of land and goods that someone else owned. Peaceful sleep with no cause for fear wasn’t as common as it is today in rich America.

What have I to fear? Not much at all. Why do I have restless nights? Because I have many flaws. The good news, the best news, is that God accepts me with my flaws. God also promises me more if I will just get out of my own way and fully accept the gift of grace. Please God, help me in my unbelief.