OH RESTFUL SLEEP, WHERE ART THOU?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. 
(Psalm 3:5)

MEDITATION:
How many times have you heard someone say, 
“I just wish I could get a good night’s sleep”?
Or maybe you have heard someone say,
“I keep waking up during the night and have trouble going back to sleep”.

Sometimes our sleep problems are medical issues and we need to see a doctor.
But, there are also some other factors that rob us of our sleep.
Things like stress, anxiety, depression, worry, jet lag, anger, fear, 
guilt, an unforgiving heart, overwork, etc.
How can we overcome these ‘sleep stealers’?

The Psalmist overcame them through his close relationship with the Lord.
He says that he could ‘lie down’ and ‘sleep’. 
We can almost sense his satisfaction in being able to get a restful sleep.
How did he succeed? He relied on the Lord to ‘sustain’ him.

Even though his life was threatened, his fellowship with the Lord
prevented fear from adding to his problems and robbing him of his sleep.
I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. (Psalm 3:6)

ACTION:
What ‘things’ are stealing your sleep?
Are you trying to overcome them on your own, 
or have you focused more on your intimacy with the Lord?
He has told us that when we strive to get closer to Him, 
He will be there for us.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, 
you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8)

Paul gives us some advice on growing closer to the Lord.
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance 
that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty 
conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold 
unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And 
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but 
encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 
(Hebrews 10:22-25)

His instructions include:
- Be sincere about our faith.
- Have faith (and not doubts) in our faith.
- Have confidence that God will cleanse us of our guilt.
- Remember the hope we have in God.
- Never forget that God is faithful with His promises.
- Focus on how we can inspire others through love and doing good things. 
- Be consistent in meeting with other believers.
- Look for opportunities to encourage others.

God’s Word provides us with many ways to enhance our lives, but we have 
to believe His promises, obey His instructions, and put them into action.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises to cleanse me of all 
unrighteousness and sustain me in all situations. Help me to not only
have a greater understanding of how I can grow closer to You, but 
to also learn the value of my obedience to Your commands.”

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