The Secret to Waking Up Without Worry
by Jennifer Slattery
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
"The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." -Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV).
SOMETHING TO PONDER
When my daughter was young, she went through a period where she suffered from frequent nightmares. While we never determined their cause, other than perhaps her vivid imagination, Psalm 121 provided powerful truths that quieted her anxious mind and allowed her to sleep in peace.
The Lord knows and understands the anxious thoughts that often run through our minds the moment we close our eyes. He sees every challenge we face, the big and overwhelming, and the relatively small yet unsettling, and He cares for each of our concerns because He cares deeply for us.
This is the declaration God makes through Psalm 121. The writer begins with an important question: Where does our help come from? How we answer that question determines the strength and endurance of our peace. When faced with financial challenges, some might seek security through their employer, their skillset, or their savings account. Those experiencing health issues might place their trust in their doctors or a particular treatment plan. Those working through a difficult relationship might rely on their therapist or the seemingly brilliant advice of a friend.
Obviously, there’s comfort in knowing we can pay our bills, find solutions to our physical ailments, and support when navigating uncomfortable and confusing circumstances. But those of us who’ve trusted in Christ for salvation have an even stronger foundation, one that nothing and no one can shake—God.
As Psalm 121 declares, the One who formed the entire universe, ignited every star, and caused the sun to rise and set, promises to help us, His children. We don’t have to fight for His attention. His gaze is already locked on us. He will keep us from harm, or as the ESV phrases it, from all evil.
That’s a powerful truth to tuck into our hearts as we drift off to sleep. Sometimes our world feels so very dark. Sometimes it appears as if evil is winning, but Scripture assures us it isn’t and cannot, because our all-powerful God remains on the throne.
He watches over our coming and going. This Hebrew idiom denoting one’s entire life reminds me of Jesus’ words in John 10, where He promised us thriving life, where we can come into the safety of His figurative sheep pen, to rest and sleep, then go out to find pasture—the sustenance we need and that our Father provides.
And notice, Scripture states this promise twice: He will watch over our lives, and He’ll watch over our coming and going, which, again, means our lives. It’s as if God is saying, “Sweet child, I’ve got you. I’m with you. Every moment of every day, and every breath each night.”
I love what seventeenth-century theologian Matthew Henry wrote: “This psalm teaches us to comfort ourselves in the Lord when difficulty and danger are greatest.” We comfort ourselves in Christ by reflecting upon His constant presence, His incomprehensible and unconquerable power, His perfect wisdom, and His unfathomable love for us.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for watching over us during the day but also while we sleep. Thank You for remaining alert to our every concern and need. You never slumber, close Your ears to Your children, or turn Your back on those in need. You hold all things—every brightly burning star, field of flowers, and human heart—in Your strong yet gentle hands. You see the evil in the world, but You didn’t leave it unchallenged. Instead, You made a spectacle, or as some translations state, You humiliated the powers of darkness, when You triumphed over them through Your death and resurrection. And You did that for us so that we could live vitally, progressively free.
We rest in those truths. We rest in You. In Your Name, Lord Jesus, we pray,
Amen.
THREE TRUTHS TO MEDITATE UPON
Our Lord is more powerful than anything we’ll ever face, and no one can thwart His glorious plans for us and His creation (Jer. 32:17; Ps. 33:11).
1. God is with us and fixes His gaze upon us. Therefore, we will never face a challenge or hardship alone (Heb. 13:5; Ps. 139:5-12).
2. He has a good plan for us and promises to work all things, the big, small, and seemingly insurmountable, for our good (Rom. 8:28).
3. He has a good plan for us and promises to work all things, the big, small, and seemingly insurmountable, for our good (Rom. 8:28).
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Kinga Howard
Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLou
She’s passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube.
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Originally published Sunday, 08 June 2025.
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