When my children were babies I heard of a verse in Psalms. He gives sleep to those he loves. I was convinced that God didn’t love me. If he did, I would be able to sleep. I spent years with sleep deprivation. My mom would always tell me, “these are the best years of your life, enjoy them.” I thought, I would, if I could have a night of rest!
Then I found the verse in Proverbs, how God would let you lie down and enjoy a good night’s sleep. I didn’t really understand this completely until my children were older. When they became teens their problems were no longer solved with a hug and a kiss. I learned that praying for their physical safety wasn’t enough, but I felt the need to pray for their emotional and spiritual safety too! New and different kind of worries came to rob me of sleep.
But God doesn’t want me to dwell on them. I can’t lose sight of clear thinking and common sense. I can’t lose sight of God, His Word, and His promises – for they are many!
But my favorite verse for rest is in Matthew. I have heard many songs and duets written with these words. Come to me and I will give you rest. Learn of me. You will find rest for your souls. This verse reminds me of God’s rest.
When a new school year starts and things are busy and life is too short, the days too long and work too much, then God’s rest will rescue me. I can rest in him, on a short break at work. I can rest in him in the evenings as I rush to accomplish many things. I can rest in him when I finally finish everything and lie in bed awake worried, scared, concerned. I can rest in him and sleep because he loves me and he will keep me and mine safe through another night and another day.
Psalm 127:2 It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
Proverbs 3:21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip. You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
