Peace and Sleep

Peace of mind and sweet sleep naturally go together. Sleep is God's daily reminder from HIm; that He is the only God. "He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4). But Israel(meaning us) will. For we are not God.



We cannot thrive or live well without once a day shutting down and sleeping. Therefore we know continually that we are not in control. Our work is not indispensable. Sleep seems to be a bold way God shows us the difference in mere mortal man and Almighty God. Isn't it amazing how well He handles the universe while we are zonked out? Peaceful living only comes as we embrace the reality of the sovereignty of God.

Proverbs 3:24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 121:4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Peaceful sleep is the opposite of anxiety. God does not want His children to be anxious, but to trust Him. God uses sleep as a way to encourage us to trust Him and to avoid being anxious. When we let concerns disturb our peace we must ask ourselves if we are truly resting and abiding in Him.

Studies estimate that about 1/3 of the adult population in the world experiences some insomnia.
Experts estimate that only about 5 percent of people with insomnia seek medical help, and 69 percent never even mention the problem to their doctor. More than 35 million Americans suffer from long-lasting insomnia, with 20 to 30 million others experiencing shorter-term sleeplessness.

Insomnia costs the U.S. approximately $100 billion each year in medical costs and decreased productivity. In the U.S., as many as 100,000 automobile accidents and 1,500 deaths from these accidents are caused by sleepiness.

In one study at least 70 percent of people with depression also experience insomnia.
As many as 25 percent of people with anxiety disorders also experience insomnia.

Psalm 4 v 8
" I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety ".

One of the beautiful revelations of Scripture is that sleep is a gift of God for His beloved. And so David could say, in the midst of pressures and war and things that were going very badly all around about him, “I will lie down and sleep in peace.” Why? Because his security depended on the Lord:

• not on situations
• not on circumstances
• not on the broken promises of men,
• but on the eternal, unchanging promises of God’s own Word.

He said, “For you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety,” in security, in peace. Consequently, when nighttime came and David lay down to sleep, he knew he was going to sleep in peace.
There are so many today that do not have that blessed assurance. When nighttime comes they toss and turn, they are anguished; they’re distressed, they’re afraid, they’re perplexed. The worries and the cares of the day follow them into the night.

Why not take a lesson from David? Why not determine that our security and our peace are found in God, that He can make us dwell in safety, and we will be able to say, “I will lie down and sleep in peace.” If I read this correctly we decide that God is trustworthy; it is a choice to trust Him and sleep.

The Prince of Peace has come to give us heavenly peace...we sleep in heavenly peace.