THE GIFT OF SLEEP

Nearly every living thing unconsciously relies upon some form of sleep for its survival.  As human beings who know something about the amazing science of sleep we should not take it for granted but accept it as a very precious gift from God.  My wife and I always begin our morning prayers by thanking God for a good night’s sleep and by remembering those, who, like Jesus, “had no-where to lay His head.”  [ Matthew 8:20 ]

I once asked a man in a bed shop if he slept well on his bed.  His reply was unforgettable, “Yes, if my conscience will allow me to!”  Even atheists must admit that their invisible conscience possesses a source of moral information that rewards them when they do right but rebukes them when they do wrong.  This can only have been implanted by a morally upright Creator.  If our conscience keeps us awake, there is only one person who can bring us the peace of forgiveness and that is the Lord Jesus who took the punishment we deserve by dying on the cross for our sins.  When we ask Jesus, who rose from the dead, to enter our hearts, He can take away the worry! [ Matthew 6:31-34 ]

Sleep is meant to be used but not abused.  As this proverb says, “He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.” [ Proverbs 10:5 ]  We can also be spiritually asleep.  Scripture says, “It is high time to wake out of sleep.” [ Romans 13:11 ]  We must not make pleasure our god but God our pleasure.  One day we shall, “Sleep in the dust of the earth.”  But where will you wake up?!  “Some will awake to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.”  [ Daniel 12:2-3 ]  Remember you won’t know you’ve been asleep until you wake up!