Peace, Sleep And Safety (And The Word "Alone")

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. [Psalm 4.8] 

There is a detail in this verse that has great significance but that is more often than not overlooked. That detail is not the one about peace. That detail is not the one about sleep. That detail is not the one about safety. That detail is the one about "you alone, O LORD."

It should be considered, in the phrase "you alone, O LORD," the critical role of the word alone. According to the Bible's documented undeniable warnings from cover to cover against idolatry, the use of the word alone is paramount. The essence of exclusivity conveyed in the word alone above is articulated early-on in the first three of the Ten Commandments:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

Based on the first three commandments above, we can see that God jealously demands our exclusive trust in Him alone. He is clear that unless He is worshiped as God alone, idolaters are left to their idolatry and the plethora of curses upon it.

It is consistent with the first three commandments and Psalm 4.8 (and all the Bible for that matter) to conclude then that unless God is God alone in a person's life that peace, sleep and safety are nothing he or she can enjoy.

It is furthermore consistent with the entire Bible that if peace, sleep and safety are not being enjoyed that idolatry (not trusting God alone) is the cause.

Of course our minds race to all manner of other reasons why we might not be enjoying peace, sleep and safety... But is that not exactly what idolatry does? Indeed, it is. Jesus said:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. [John 14.27]

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” [John 16.33]

These passages offer great comfort, but it must be understood that the One Who spoke these words also spoke the following highly exclusive words:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

The correlation between "peace, sleep, and safety" and God (Jesus) alone is undeniable.

Father, Your Word has given us every tool we need to identify and detach ourselves from idolatry. And yet, idolatry is so much a part of the fabric of our lives that we quickly (albeit, religiously) dismiss what Your Word says in deference to our own cloak of reason. May we see the timeless relevance of Jesus' demand to give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Him. So be it.