Daily Devotional

-July 10, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

-Peaceful And Purposeful Sleep Leads To A Productive And Prosperous Life-

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5).

God created us with a purpose and for a purpose. Our bodies need food to eat, water to drink, and sleep to sustain us. So many do not eat healthy, drink enough water, or get enough quality sleep.

Overall, America is sleep deprived. We think of sleep as a waste of time and try to get by on as little as possible. This has led to less productivity, more health problems, and more traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths.

David, the writer of both psalms three and four, learned the blessing and value of sleep. Only the Lord can give one the best sleep. When we are in peace, trusting in the the Lord, and not worrying about tomorrow, we can sleep. The problem is we tend to worry about what has not even happened yet.

Older people tend to have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep. It is a good habit to pray before sleeping, thanking the Lord for what He helped us to do during that day and committing ourselves for the tasks ahead for the next day.

When we fall asleep and wake up in the morning, we find ourselves rested, refreshed, and rejuvenated. David said, “…I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.” When we get up we should praise and thank God for giving us another day to live for Him and serve Him.

God knew how beneficial sleep is to the spirit, soul, and body. He wants us to be healthy and have strength to carry on each day. We charge our smart phones, tablets, and smart watches; should be not charge our bodies as well? Paul admonished us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Sleep is precious and is a gift from God. We need it so much. We can sleep confidently and peacefully knowing that God never slumbers or sleeps. He watches over us at all times. Psalm 121:3-4 tells us, “He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber or sleep.”

May the Lord help us to take sleep seriously and value it highly. It adds to our health and quality of life. It is for good and we should thus give it a higher priority.

Have a blessed day of living and a great night of sleeping. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean