Rosemary wasn't a happy camper last night. Usually, when she wakes after we put her to bed for the night, Stacey goes to help her back to sleep.
Rosemary didn't feel well at all, so Stacey stayed home from Bible study with her so I could teach my last class of the quarter. Willow and I came home and Stacey finally took her turn putting Willow to bed. Rosie woke up and I went to try and put her back to sleep.
Was I in for a struggle! We rocked in the dark and I sang the usual songs I do to calm her down – “Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You,” “Prince of Peace, Control My Will,” and “Be Still My Soul”. She would fall asleep, I'd try to return her to the bed and she'd wake up again.
After some time of struggling, singing, and slumber another song came to mind - “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.” As Rosemary lay sleeping in my arms, I was so thankful for that quiet time to just hold my beautiful daughter so that she could sleep in comfort.
When I thought of the fight she gave resisting sleep, I thought of the parallel in our spiritual lives. If we would just stop trying to come up with any excuse to not obey God's will and quietly submit to His service, the peace and rest we experience is inexplicable (Philippians 4:7).
Are you resting, safe, in the arms of Jesus, or do you still twist, squirm, and fight the loving embrace He offers shunning that perfect peace?
The words of Safe in the Arms of Jesus by Frances J. Crosby
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels
Borne in a song to me,
Over the fields of glory,
Over the jasper sea.
Refrain:
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe from corroding care,
Safe from the world’s temptations;
Sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow,
Free from my doubts and fears;
Only a few more trials,
Only a few more tears!
Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge,
Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages
Ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience,
Wait till the night is o’er;
Wait till I see the morning
Break on the golden shore.
