TruthPoints

04.16.08

Divine Sleep

The older I get, the easier it is for me to sleep.  At times, I find myself falling asleep when I definitely should be awake.  When I lie down at night, it takes only a minute or two to fall asleep.  However, I find that I am not sleeping as long as I did in my younger days.  Often, I am awake at 4:00 AM with no ability to get back to sleep – nor do I need to get back to sleep.  So, I just get up.

Unfortunately, many believers are unable to get enough sleep and resulting rest because of the cares, worries, and pressures of our 21^st Century world in which we live.  It is as if our minds kick into high gear when we lie down in our beds.  Sometimes it is very difficult to think positively and, seemingly beyond our control, our minds are consumed with the negative aspects and prospects of life.  In this way, our enemy robs us of the divine rest God intends for all of us.

Take just a minute to read the following Psalm, written by King David during a very frightening time in his life.  His rebellious son, Absalom, who was trying to overthrow David’s Kingdom and assume the throne, was hunting him down and trying to kill him.  While you are reading, notice verse 5, in which David said, “I lay down and slept”.  Notice…

David’s Test:  Psalm 3:1-2

“Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!  Many are they who rise up against me.  Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God”.  Selah

David’s Trust:  Psalm 3:3-4

“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.  I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill.  Selah

David’s Triumph:  Psalm 3:5-8

“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.  Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God!  For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.  Salvation belongs to the Lord.  Your blessing is upon Your people.  Selah

Fear is a weapon our enemy loves to use against us.  However, the Lord encourages us with these words from 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 

Be honest with yourself.  Is it not fear that keeps you awake at night, when you should be sleeping?  The next time you are tossing and turning in your bed, worried and afraid of what tomorrow holds, hear in your heart, and pray aloud the words of King David from Psalm 4:8, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”.

When facing a Test, put your Trust in our loving Lord, and Triumph over the subtle and sinister attacks of the enemy.  “Both lie down in peace and sleep.”

If it is bed time when you are reading this, “Good night”.  If not, get up and get back to work!  J

Have a blessed day and a restful night.

Pastor David