January 11, 2016:  SOAP #2230:

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Observation:   One day while serving with the US Marine Corps in Viet Nam I heard the Lord speak this scripture to me.  Previously I slept with my boots on, but from that day on I took off my boots to sleep. And we never had any trouble from the enemy at night, not at our home bas nor camped on the mountain side.  I would take off my damp socks that I had been wearing that day and put them down my pant legs to be dried by my body heat.  I would then put on dry socks and set my boot close by to let them air out while I slept.  My feet and toes were also able to air out during the night.  And I slept in peace, for the LORD made me dwell in safety!

Application:   What before was foolish made perfect sense when I heard God’s promise.  Only God knows if he ever needed to confuse the enemy or direct them away from our camp because one of His children was sleeping with his boots off.  Only God knows if my simple act of faith had any impact on the enemy.  But it had an impact on my life.  My God was trustworthy and I could sleep!

Prayer:   Lord, thank you for personally speaking to me and teaching me that I can trust you! My faith is expressed in small actions that I can do to honor You.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!