Ever wish you could just get a good night’s sleep? I remember a few times when I was traveling all night that my body ached for the comfort of soft, cool sheets and my pillow. The car was uncomfortable and cramped. When I would finally arrive home, all I wanted was to crawl in, stretch out and get a few good hours of shut-eye.
However, most of my sleep hasn’t been stolen that way. Those occasional all-nighters have nothing on the sleep deprivation of a worried mom, a troubled wife, a scared teenager or a sick patient. Worry robs us. Fear robs us.
But wisdom. Wisdom provides rest. Proverbs 3:24 says, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down and your sleep will be pleasant.” In the context of the scripture Solomon is talking about being wise, using discretion and keeping an eye on things that would distract you from making good choices. He prompts us to remember to stay away from bad company. The principle of good sleep is only made sweeter by verse 26, “for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from a snare.”
There’s a peace that gives good sleep even when things on the outside don’t seem good. When the enemy is attacking, when health is failing, when the job isn’t what you hoped for, when finances are rough––those are the times we need to keep our eyes fixed on the way the Bible tells us to live so that we can have that calming assurance that we are doing our part and the faith that God will always do his part. That’s the peace that puts you to sleep! That confidence in a God who wants the best for me, a God who doesn’t want me to be ensnared––that’s the kind of loving God we have.
So the choice is ours. The decisions we make daily impact our ability to rest. Let’s keep our guard up today so we can rest with peace tonight.
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