Rest Assured in God

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading, titled, Rest Assured in God, was written by Karen Pimpo. Researchers in Fujian, China wanted to help intensive care unit patients sleep more soundly. They measured the effects of sleep aids on test subjects in a simulated ICU environment, complete with bright, hospital-grade lighting and audio recordings of machines beeping and nurses talking. Their research showed that tools like sleep masks and earplugs improved their subjects' rest.

But they acknowledged that for truly sick patients in a real ICU, peaceful sleep would still be hard to come by. When our world is troubled, how can we find rest? The Bible's clear. There's peace for those who trust in God, regardless of their circumstances. The prophet Isaiah wrote about a future time when the ancient Israelites would be restored after hardship. They would live securely in their city because they knew that God made it safe. They would trust that He was actively working in the world around them to bring good. He humbles those who dwell on high, raising up the oppressed and bringing justice.

They would know that the Lord Himself is the rock eternal, and they could trust Him forever. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, wrote Isaiah, because they trust in you. God can provide peace and rest for us today as well. We can rest in the assurance of His love and power, no matter what is going on around us. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Isaiah, chapter 26, verses 1 through 6. In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah.

We have a strong city. God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the rock eternal. He humbles those who dwell on high. He lays the lofty city low. He levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust.

Feet trample it down, the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor. Let's pray. Dear Lord, we all have many concerns that cause us to worry and lose sleep. Help us to fully trust in you and rest in the knowledge of your love and care. Thank you, God. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Alisha Reisinger and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.