Sleepless Nights, A Sign of the Times

If you’re like my family, one of the biggest obstacles in these strange days of CoVID-19 is the lack of sleep. For sure, I’m a night owl, but these days, I’m not sleeping even during the times I would normally sleep. Our sons are the same way.

All of us have tried all manner of things to bring on rest. From no food or drink after 8 p.m. to taking melatonin. I must say, I don’t adhere to either of those things, but some members of my family do. Some are exercising, going out for walks, or listening to calming music. Our eldest son and his family have slept with white noise sound machines for years. At least since their first daughter was born sixteen years ago. My sister and her family do that, too. I don’t because I want to know what’s going on around me. I’m fine-tuned to listen to the slightest noise. Hmmm. Maybe I should invest in one of those machines.

If we do what we probably should do in such a circumstance, we would turn to our Bibles. There are plenty of verses that speak of sleep. Psalm 4:8 says, In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For Thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety. I don’t know about you, but those are powerful words. If you look back at the beginning of that Psalm, the editors of this version NASB, have called this Evening Prayer of Trust in God. The verse above is lovely, but the entire Psalm is uplifting.

As I was searching for words of comfort and assurance having to do with sleep, I came upon this jewel. Jeremiah 31:23-26. I’ll let you read it, but it speaks of God, YWHW, the unpronounceable name of God, Sovereign God. It is the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel speaking. He tells them he will restore their fortunes. I know many of you have been out of work, you don’t know how you’re going to pay bills, buy food, keep your roof over your head. But if God restored their fortunes (and we know He did because He said He would) you can take heart. He is El Roi, the God who sees. He knows your circumstances. He will restore your fortunes. Verses 25 and 26 say, “For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes.” At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me. (NASB)

Now, I don’t claim to be a Bible scholar by any means. But I know that if it’s in the Bible and God said it, I can believe it. I don’t know how or to what extent all these things will happen, but I do know that God knows. And here I go back to my favorite Jeremiah 29:11. God has plans for you, to bring you hope and a good future.

So lay your head upon your pillow tonight and rest well. God has the entire world in His very capable hands. He knows how this will end and when. Put your trust in Him. As I told you last week, the God who cares enough to know the number of hairs on your head, knows your name. YOU! He has your name tattooed in the palm of his hand. Isaiah 49:16. He won’t forget you!

So, how are you coping with sleep issues? We’d love to hear your solutions.

 

AN INVITATION

Let me invite you again to join us in reading through the Bible chronologically. We didn’t begin on January 1, as so many do. But we did begin. Back in March. We’ve been through Genesis, skipping over to the book of Job in the middle of it, then back to finish up Genesis. Now we are in Exodus. Believe me when I tell you that if you haven’t read the Bible in this manner, you have no idea how many tidbits and profound thoughts you are missing. Reading it in this way is opening up a whole new world to us. We’ve questioned and studied and are really diving deeply into the Word of God. Here is what we are using: YouVersion of the Bible, reading chronologically. Then we follow up with The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble. We also go to The Bible Project where this group has put what we’ve read into printable pictures. It makes everything very clear. Great for those of you who love to do Bible journaling. Sleepless Nights, A Sign of the Times #writing #faith Share on X

 

I’m praying for you and your friends and family. If you have specific prayer requests, please contact me. It is my honor and privilege to pray for you.