God Gives Us Sleep
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2 (KJV)
This verse tells us it is vain, empty, worthless, and profits us nothing to go without sleep or to get less sleep than you need, which is about 7 to 8 hours for most people. It also mentions “eat the bread of sorrows,” which may be why some people cannot sleep- too much troubles them. One translation says “toiling for food to eat.” We are to work, but we have to trust God for our provision.
God gives His beloved sleep. Beloved means dearly loved by God. That’s you and me! When we know we’re loved by God, we can work carefree, without concern, which makes work more enjoyable and does not weigh upon our minds and hinder our sleep. And as children of God, we work instead of toiling. Toil speaks of doing work in your own ability instead of by the grace and empowerment of God. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, so we can work in peace, not in stress. And because God gives His beloved sleep, God is blessing us and working for us even while we rest.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:5 (KJV)
You can lie down and sleep, trusting God to protect and watch over you. And the proof that He did this is that:
You laid down.
You slept.
You awoke.
This means He sustained you while you slept. So, when we sleep God protects us and even provides for us.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (KJV)
We can lie down in peace without worries, casting your care on God. He will make sure you sleep in safety.
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 (KJV)
Fear steals sleep, but God says fear need not hinder our sleep. When we cast our care on Him and decide to trust that He is taking care of us and everything that concerns us, we can sleep peacefully.
Did you realize there were so many verses in the Bible about sleep? God intends for us to get our rest. Tonight, when you lie down, tell the Lord you are casting all your cares on Him- and purposely decide to not think of them anymore. Then sleep will come to you. We really can experience sweet sleep because our sweet Lord is taking care of us.
