Anchor Devotional

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Bed Sheets

“You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5

Our sons were blessed with a babysitter who was fun enough that they loved her, yet firm enough to keep them in check and enforce the rules. When putting them to bed, she’d tuck the top sheets tightly under the sides of the mattress and tell them, “These sheets are tucked in around you to keep you from getting up and being disobedient. If you disobey, the fun stops. The bedsheets are hemming you in for your own good.”

It’s somewhat like this to have God’s reassuring presence all around us hemming us in behind and before, His gentle, steadying hand always on us. He hems us in and reminds us to stay put so He can protect and bless us.

Our boys didn’t think of the psalmist, of course, as they were tucked in. But now each night, as I nestle under my bedsheet, I envision God tucking in my sheets to protect and bless me through the night. It gives new meaning to my version of the old child’s prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep while grateful, Lord, my soul you keep. Guide and guard me through the night and wake me when your time is right.”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Psalm 139

INSIGHT
When you feel God is restricting you or being unfair to you, thank Him for loving you enough to protect and bless you.

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 51-52
Psalm 96
Acts 19

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