STOP
Have you ever wanted your body or brain to work on something while you are asleep? Like read a book or study for a test while you are resting your body? Have you ever thought about how well you are protected and being taught at night by the Holy Spirit? Today, how can you rest in the thought that in the psalms it says that “even at night, my heart instructs me”? Take comfort knowing that while at night, while we are at rest, our hearts are instructing us. That should give us rest.
Try starting with this:
Lastly, imagine all of what’s on your mind, your thoughts, your feelings, your emotions, the expectations, your agendas, your to-do lists all in a cup. But instead of the cup being filled up to stressful overflowing, imagine it being filled with only the correct portion for the cup, no more, no less. We can rest in Jesus, knowing He only assigns us the correct portion for our cup. We should be careful what we add to the cup.
EXHALE
Next, breathe. Breath in…and out…in…and out. Close your eyes to everything around you. God is as close to you right now as the breath in your lungs. Find peace in this thought. When you are ready, pray this simple prayer a few times while still focusing on your breathing.
As you inhale pray, “Keep me safe, O God, ”
As you exhale, pray, “for in you I take refuge”
LOOK
Let’s look at the word of God today. When God speaks, it’s important for us to pay attention. Read these words slowly and carefully. Read it a few times. Notice which words or phrases stick out to you.
“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. [...] Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”(Psalm 16 NIV)
ASK
What stood out to you? Highlight/mark it in your bible. Have you ever inherited something?/wish that something will be inherited to you? David says that “surely I have a delightful inheritance.” What does that look like to you? Looking over your calendar this week and how you spent your time, what would you say you took delight in? Would you be able to echo “Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure”? Or do you find yourself always wanting more than what has been provided to you? What “gods” are you tempted to pursue and run after? What sorrows then do they bring to you? Do you allow him to instruct you at night, when the darkness is around you? Do you follow His counsel?
HEAR
What is God saying to you? Listen to hear his still small voice. Quiet your mind and search your heart. Now pray: “Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.” You are waiting to hear from the Holy Spirit, still your heart and mind. Based on the scripture you read today, God’s words to you, is there anything God is asking you to do? Read the scripture again if you need to. God is speaking to you through it. To finish up your quiet time, ask yourself if your heart is glad, your tongue rejoicing, and your body able to rest secure knowing that you will not be abandoned.
