January 4

In Calm Repose

On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and weapons of war in the land, and will make them lie down in safety. — Hos 2:18 BSB

Yes, the saints are meant to have peace. The passage from which this comforting promise comes speaks of peace “with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the sky, and with the creatures that crawl on the ground.” This signifies peace with earthly enemies, mysterious dangers, and even the small irritations of life! Any of these could keep us from resting, but none of them will succeed. The Lord will completely remove anything that threatens His people: “I will break the bow and the sword and end the battle in the land.” The peace we experience will be profound, as all the sources of disturbance will be shattered.

With this peace will come rest, for “He gives His beloved sleep.” Fully provided for and divinely calmed, believers can lie down in serene rest. And this rest is a safe one. It’s one thing to lie down, but it’s another thing entirely “to lie down safely.” We are brought to the land of promise, the Father’s house, the chamber of love, and the embrace of Christ—surely now we can “lie down safely.” It’s safer for a believer to lie down in peace than to stay awake and worry.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” We only truly rest when the Comforter leads us to lie down.