Daily devotional, 17 June 2024 Supplements
"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves."
Psalm 127:2
I was looking around at a health store one day, and was amazed to see a huge selection of natural sleep supplements. It seems like more and more people are having trouble sleeping but dislike the idea of having to take sleep medication, to avoid side effects and drug dependency.
As followers of Jesus, we are less prone to having sleep troubles. Why? Because we are assured that we have a sovereign God who is in control, and will not allow us to perish.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2
If we will examine the usual reasons why a person will be robbed off a good night’s sleep, we can surmise that for most of the circumstances, knowing truths about God’s character and promises can greatly help in providing us the peace of mind that can help us slumber peacefully.
"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."
Psalm 3:24
As followers of Jesus, we may still lose sleep from time to time, and so, we should calm our hearts and tell our minds that our true rest is in Jesus. Below are some of the usual reasons why a person cannot sleep, and bible truths that can help us overcome our restlessness:
1. We cannot sleep because we are overtired. We are usually overtired because we are working too hard on something. We work for a heftier bank account. We want a specific object or outcome. We are saving up for our travel goals. We want more savings, we want a leaner body, we need more recognition at work. When we are discontented with our life, and our looks, we push ourselves to the limit.
But when we trust in a God that opens our eyes to what really matters in life, we will not abuse our body to the point that we can no longer sleep because we are too tired to rest.
"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves."
Psalm 127:2
2. We cannot sleep because we are worried. When we are worried about our life, our savings, our children, our marriage, our career, or any worldly thing we can think of, we are disobeying God’s command for us to not worry. We worry about these things because we anchor our security on them, or we are scared to lose these things or our relationship with such people because they have become our idol.
If only we will keep in mind that our Lord wants us to be free from worries, and anchor our security, safety, and happiness only on Him, we can stop worrying and enjoy a good night’s rest.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
3. We cannot sleep because we have existing problems that we cannot solve. Everyone faces life difficulties at several points in their lives. If we accept that problems are a part of life, and that even our Messiah has not been spared of pain we can be consoled that the storms in life that we are experiencing, will also pass. We can also confidently pray and wait on God to help us endure and overcome our troubles.
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
Isaiah 26:3
4. We cannot sleep because we are overthinking about the future. When we think too much about what will happen in the future, we refuse to trust in the God who has good plans for us.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13
5. We cannot sleep because we are anxious. When we keep on imagining things that could possibly go wrong for us, we get anxious. What we should instead call to mind is that there is a God who tells us to put all our anxious thoughts on His feet as we rest in His loving care.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:6-7
6. We cannot sleep because we keep on thinking about our regrets. When we cannot stop thinking about the wrong things we have done, and the things we should have done, we are living in the past. The Lord wants us to leave our past behind, so let us remind ourselves that He wants us to focus on the right things and do our best moving forward.
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
2 Corinthians 7:10
7. We cannot sleep because we are suffering from a physical illness. Physical illness, pain, and medication can rob us of a good sleep. When we are unwell, we should rest our minds in His loving care. We must recite in our hearts His wonderful assurance that He will never abandon us, and that He can bring us healing if He wills it.
"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 23:1-4
9. We cannot sleep because we had way too much caffeine, sweet food, screen time or are bothered with what we have watched on TV, film or social media. Good sleeping habits is a way to honor the body that God has blessed us with. We may have the freedom to do whatever we want, and sleep whenever we want to, but it will take a toll on our health. We have to honor our God by taking care of our health and appreciating the wellness He has bestowed upon us.
"The prudent sees danger and hides himself,but the simple go on and suffer for it." Proverbs 22:3
10. We cannot sleep because we are not comfortable or we do not feel safe with our surroundings. When we are in a new place, or when our security and safety is threatened, sleep will surely evade us. Once we have prayed for God’s guidance, and have done our part to help stay safe, we should rest assured that God will take care of us.
"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
Remember, there is only one being who can afford to not sleep and He is our Divine Creator. Our one true God does not rest nor slumber to keep His people in perfect peace and safety.
"He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:3-4
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Isaiah 35:3-6 and Psalm 23 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you losing sleep?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for assuring me that I can get a good night’s sleep when I choose to rest in your love. Help me overcome the things that keep me from seeing your blessings, graces and love and rob me of the good night sleep, you gift your people with. Amen.
