Today as I was seeking God’s direction on what to write, I found myself awakened by the dishwasher. Whoops! I had fallen asleep. So, You want me to write on the topic of sleep, Lord?

Let’s follow this theme and explore where it leads.

• First, sleep is a blessing from the Lord. Psalm 127:2 concludes with “For he grants sleep to those he loves.”
• When we have trouble sleeping, we might meditate on Zephaniah 3:17b. “He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” As you lie down, allow the Lord to quiet your heart and mind as you imagine Him singing over you. Hand your burdens over to Him and rest.
• Obviously, sleep has a purpose. Our bodies and minds need rest. Other times, God uses it for another purpose, to reveal hidden truths or prophecies or give direction. God spoke to Abraham while he was in a deep sleep (Genesis 15:12) and gave dreams to many like Jacob (Genesis 28:12), Daniel (Daniel 7:1), and Mary’s husband, Joseph (Matthew 1:20). Perhaps to us, one night.
• Scripture strongly warns against too much sleep. “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?” (Proverbs 6:9) Proverbs 6:10 notes the consequences as poverty and scarcity.
• Ecclesiastes shares the wisdom of balancing work and sleep. “The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep” (Ecc. 5:12). This reminds us to examine our motives for working hard. When our goal is to glorify God with our riches, sleep is sweet.
• Finally, we can be reassured God never sleeps. “He who watches over you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3b).

May your sleep be sweet.