"Sweet Sleep!"

“Where’s ‘Babe’? I can’t find ‘Babe’, Papa. Help me! I’ve looked all over and don’t know where else to look,” said my beloved grandson. Together we walked through each room in our home looking for “Babe.” Finally, we found him. “Babe” was already in bed waiting for Keller. Now, Keller felt secure and would soon be asleep.

Sleep is a problem for many people. In fact, ten percent of Americans have been diagnosed with chronic insomnia. As staggering as that number is, it does not include those who use alcohol or other “over-the-counter” remedies to assist them when they want to “fall” asleep.

We have all experienced those nights when sleep seemed to be an enemy. We toss and turn while looking for a “comfortable” spot. We seek a correct room temperature as the “tick” of the clock echoes in our ears. And, time passes by as the sleep we crave eludes us.

“Why” is an obvious question. Too much food? Overwhelmed with guilt? Anxiety from a bad decision? Facing a day that we know will be difficult? The questions vary. But, “When you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet.” Always? Really? How?

“Sweet sleep,” according to Solomon, is the result of using “sound judgment and discernment” that comes from God. If we carefully and completely follow God’s teachings and are obedient to His laws, He will grant us His peace, rest, and safety. God has provided His wisdom for all of the problems we will ever face in life – even sleep – in His Word

Only fools reject God’s advice and gifts. And lie awake wondering.

Prayer: Lord, help us to realize and accept all that is available to us if we walk with and are faithful to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 3:24 You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. 

"Sweet Sleep!"

“Where’s ‘Babe’? I can’t find ‘Babe’, Papa. Help me! I’ve looked all over and don’t know where else to look,” said my beloved grandson. Together we walked through each room in our home looking for “Babe.” Finally, we found him. “Babe” was already in bed waiting for Keller. Now, Keller felt secure and would soon be asleep.

Sleep is a problem for many people. In fact, ten percent of Americans have been diagnosed with chronic insomnia. As staggering as that number is, it does not include those who use alcohol or other “over-the-counter” remedies to assist them when they want to “fall” asleep.

We have all experienced those nights when sleep seemed to be an enemy. We toss and turn while looking for a “comfortable” spot. We seek a correct room temperature as the “tick” of the clock echoes in our ears. And, time passes by as the sleep we crave eludes us.

“Why” is an obvious question. Too much food? Overwhelmed with guilt? Anxiety from a bad decision? Facing a day that we know will be difficult? The questions vary. But, “When you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet.” Always? Really? How?

“Sweet sleep,” according to Solomon, is the result of using “sound judgment and discernment” that comes from God. If we carefully and completely follow God’s teachings and are obedient to His laws, He will grant us His peace, rest, and safety. God has provided His wisdom for all of the problems we will ever face in life – even sleep – in His Word

Only fools reject God’s advice and gifts. And lie awake wondering.

Prayer: Lord, help us to realize and accept all that is available to us if we walk with and are faithful to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 3:24 You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. 

Sleep! A Thoughtful Gift From God

Sleep - restful and peaceful sleep - is a nourishing and comforting gift from God.

Researchers who have studied the sleep patterns of humans have discovered that if we are awake for more than twenty-four hours, we do not act normally. Our recall of things that happened in the past fails and response time to events that are going on around us slows down tremendously. People who are normally “gentle and slow to wrath” become irritable and abusive when they are denied their normal amount of sleep.

Some who have difficulty in going to sleep resort to pills. Often the cure is harmful, ending up in a habit that leads to an addiction. Another problem is alertness: the reaction time required to respond to a life or death decision may result in tragedy. We all need a certain amount of sleep to function normally and meet the requirements of life.

The best, most nourishing sleep comes from God. In Psalm 127:2 we read, “for He grants sleep to those whom He loves!”

In His Word, we discover that God loves everyone. But, there seems to be a special love for those who have accepted His Son as their Savior and enthroned Him as Lord. Their sins are forgiven, and their relationship with God is as He has designed it to be. They can rest peacefully in His love.

And, consider this: When we toss and turn and have a difficult time enjoying a “peaceful sleep,” it may be the Holy Spirit urging us to quote Bible verses and pray.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to find our peace and rest in the goodness of Your grace and the depth of Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 127:2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

God's Cure For Sleeplessness

Charles Dickens is considered to be one of the world’s greatest novelists and story tellers. He wrote one of the most interesting, compelling and heart-touching stories of all time: “A Christmas Carol.”

However, there is an interesting story that has been told about him. Whenever he left his home to travel or spend the night with his friends, he would take his compass with him. After looking at his compass and before he retired for the night, he would always turn the head of his bed to the north. He believed that he would sleep more comfortably with his bed in that position.

David had his own routine for falling asleep. He said, “I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you O Lord, will keep me safe!” The important word in this verse of Scripture is peace. David did not say that he would lie down and sleep in peace. Rather, the peace that he experienced in his heart is what enabled him to lie down and sleep.

But where does this peace come from? For David it came from the Lord. David said that God gave him a greater joy than those who had experienced abundant harvests. The joy and gladness that David experienced in his heart came from his relationship with God.

We will never find joy, gladness or peace if we seek them for selfish reasons. But they will fill the life of a Christian if we meet with Him in prayer, seek Him in His Word and worship Him with all of our heart.

Prayer: Father, give us confidence in the promise of Your Word so that we may enjoy Your enduring peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.