Sleep is such a wonderful gift from God. Children grow while they sleep. Sleep helps heal when sickness befalls
us. A good night’s sleep does wonders
when we fall into bed exhausted. When
our eight-month-old grandson is grumpy, a good nap totally changes his mood and
he returns to be the delightful little guy we love. Some executives have been
known to power nap for 30 minutes in the middle of a busy schedule. As I get older, an occasional afternoon nap
does the same thing. Just forty-five
minutes of rest and “shut-eye” revitalizes me for the remainder of the day.
Sleep does not come easily to me through the night anymore
due to arthritis so I’ve been thinking about it lately. The Bible has some
interesting things to say about sleep and lack of sleep. Psalm 16:7 says, “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart
instructs me.” I find this so
true. When I am awake in the middle of
the night, I tend to dredge-up problems, past mistakes, other peoples offenses
and unkindness. Then the Holy Spirit
counsels me. God breaks through and
reminds me of his grace and forgiveness.
He turns my heart to thanksgiving and praise and gently guides me back
to sleep.
Psalm 17: 3 says that God probes our hearts and examines us
at night to which the Psalmist says in verse 5, “though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my
mouth will not sin . . . My steps have held to your paths; my feet shall have
not slipped.” These are the words of
a person who is mature in their walk with God.
Their life is devoted to His ways.
There is a hint of maturity and intimacy with God found in verse 8 where
he says to God, “Keep me as the apple of
your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
In such an intimate relationship with God, we see holiness
in the form of the Psalmist’s likeness to God.
He ends the song by saying, “And I
– in righteousness will see your face when I awake. I will be satisfied with seeing your
likeness.” God does not slumber nor does he sleep. He gives us rest and recovery each night, but
even through the night he is there, present, loving us completely, counseling
us, speaking into our hearts, testing us, affirming his love for us, and
shaping us into His likeness.
Thanks be to God. When we awake, we discover that his
mercies are new every morning.
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