Even though we must rest, our God keeps watch always

A pull quote from DaySpring contributing writer Simi John that reads,

The day my husband and I brought our firstborn baby home was both magical and frightening.

Still in our 20s, we’d been given this tiny, fragile little one to care for. We had prepared the nursery with the new crib, a fancy rocker and even a wipe warmer. We wanted her to be comfortable and safe. 

Then came bedtime. 

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Nothing worked.  

She cried and cried. Apparently, her new crib was not her preference. She wanted to be held, nestled next to mama. 

But we were scared to co-sleep. In my Indian culture, co-sleeping was normal and encouraged. But before we left the hospital with our newborn, they warned us of the dangers of co-sleeping. We even had to watch a video about it. So being a rule-follower and an Enneagram 6, I couldn’t do it. 

At some point late in the night, my husband had the idea to drink an energy drink. The plan: he would stay awake and watch to make sure our baby girl was safe as she slept beside me. All I heard in that plan was that I would get to sleep, so I agreed.

And it worked. So we did it the next night and the next.

Then one day, my husband had to leave the house for a meeting. He could barely function and almost fell asleep at the wheel. We realized our brilliant plan wasn’t sustainable. 

No matter how much we loved and wanted to keep our baby comfortable and safe, our human limitations would remind us that we can only do so much. We had to sleep. 

God watches over us  

In Psalm 121, we read about our Heavenly Father who watches over us. “…he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:3-4, NIV) 

At first glance, these verses seem repetitive, but there is a slight difference between slumber and sleep. The word slumber in Hebrew here translates to drifting into sleep, getting drowsy or distracted. Sleep is to rest, or be fully asleep. 

What good news! Our Heavenly Father isn’t tired, distracted or drifting into other thoughts. He doesn’t need rest from our problems because it’s too much. He doesn’t need a break from us because we are too much. His eyes are on us. He is focused on us! 

Psalm 121 uses the Hebrew word Shamar to describe God; in fact, we see it 6 times in the 8 verses. Shamar is keeper, meaning to keep watch or guard. 

This promise also reminds us that we don’t have to live in anxiety of what may happen or be consumed by the uncertainties of life. God is awake and alert to all that concerns us. 

We lift up our eyes  

We can watch the news or read social media and find many things happening right now that are harmful, evil and bad in our world. That is the reality of our lives. From global crises to broken or corrupt systems to everyday worries, there will always be something to pull us toward fear, anxiety and panic. 

In those moments the psalmist reminds us to lift up our eyes and see our Shamar. The one who keeps us, watches us. The one who doesn’t sleep or slumber. The one who is with us always, aware of all that concerns us. 

Even in a dark season  

Even if you feel like you are at the lowest point in your life, living through a dark season, be comforted that God is present. He is your Shamar even there. “…If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” (Psalm 139:8, NKJV) 

And because He doesn’t sleep, you can. Because he doesn’t rest, you can. He is vigilant and watchful so you don’t have to be. You are safe and secure. 

We are not alone  

Friend, no matter what you are facing today, the promise is that you aren’t alone. You have a God who has His eyes on you, always.

I pray that will give you peace to let God be your Shamar. 

A black and white portrait of DaySpring contributing author Simi John.

Simi John was born in India and moved to Dallas, Texas, at the age of 7. Simi is a speaker, author and full-time physical therapist. Her calling is to the local church, and her passion is to equip women to know who they are and live faithfully right where they are. Find Simi's work and words at https://www.simijohn.tv.