SLEEP

Psalm 127:2—It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of His own, even while they sleep. (CEV)

As a child, I suffered growing pains and often cried before finally drifting off. To this night, I often experience tight leg muscles or an overly active mind that makes it difficult to relax. Many times I have tossed and turned in frustration—unable to escape consciousness. Counting sheep never worked for me—I think it’s a math thing. One night in this predictably unpredictable occurrence, I sensed there was an issue I needed to pray over. Upon returning from the couch and time on my knees with God, something incredible happened--sleep came readily.

Jesus said to His followers, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Often sleep is elusive because my mind is torqued over many concerns. I need to let go of what ails me and trust that God is sovereign over all circumstances. So I go to God as His weary son, to dump my truck in His bottomless landfill. I return to a bed sweetened with an angelic aroma of heavenly rest!

Jesus also said to His key disciples, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:46) Do you ever have times you know God is calling you to pray? I’m beginning to believe my leg pains are God’s means of alerting me to get up and intercede! There are nights I’ve awoken and been unable to go back to sleep until I’ve listened to the Lord regarding what I should pray and then prayed. Afterwards, sleep has come.

Perhaps you’re a member of the insomniac squad. Instead of popping pills or consuming midnight turkey sandwiches, consider spending time with the One who needs no bed yet values rest. I’d be interested in hearing what happens . . . in reveration.

Inspiration
Sleep is God’s celestial nurse who croons away our consciousness, and God deals with the unconscious life of the soul in places where only He and His angels have charge. As you retire to rest, give your soul and God a time together, and commit your life to God with a conscious peace for the hours of sleep, and deep and profound developments will go on in spirit, soul, and body by the kind, creating hand of our God.—Oswald Chambers in The Pilgrim’s Song Book