SWEETNESS IN SOUND SLEEP

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your SLEEP will be SWEET” – Proverbs 3:24

In addition to the Right Nutrition, Rest, and Exercises, there is SWEETNESS in SOUND SLEEP: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your SLEEP will be SWEET” (Pro.3:24). Sweet Sleep is part of the reward of giving wisdom and discretion prime place in life; and a gift from God: “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so HE GIVES His beloved SLEEP” (Psa.127:2). God can bless with sweet sleep or take it away at will! God took away King Ahasuerus’ sleep until he called for the book of records to remember Mordecai for honour (Est.6: 1-3). When Daniel was in the den of lions, Darius lost his sleep (Dan.6:18-19).

Sleep is good, but a lopsided understanding of Scriptures makes some feel guilty, wrongly assuming that enjoying sound sleep is tantamount to slothfulness. There are wrong kinds of sleep, such as Samson’s immoral sleep on the laps of Delilah which cost him the anointing (Jud.16:19-20). But his problem was not with sleep per se, but his lust and wilful association with strange women. Let’s examine few salient scriptures for balanced understanding of the import of sleep.

“Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psa.121:4). We serve the Lord who does not slumber or sleep, but He blesses His beloved with sweet sleep, for renewal and refreshing.

David pledged: “I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (Psa.132:4). There are occasions when divine passion drives us to deliberately deny ourselves of sleep for a season – for the sake of God’s Glory!

“How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep – so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man” (Pro.6: 9-11; 24:33-34). This wrong kind of sleep – the sleep of the sluggard – leads to poverty and hunger: “Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger” (Pro.19:15). Sleep is good and legitimate, but we are not to “love” it: “Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread” (Pro.20:13).

Peter and company were “heavy with sleep” and almost missed the Transfiguration Glory (Lk.9:28-32). The time to WATCH and PRAY is not the time to sleep: “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Lk.22:46). Also, the time for God’s WORD is not the time to sleep! Eutychus fell into a deep sleep while Paul was preaching, and he ended up falling “down from the third story and was taken up dead”! Thank God for His Mercy that raised him up (Acts 20: 7-12). Romans 13:11b says: “now it is high time to awake out of sleep.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6 also admonishes: “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober”. These do not negate the need for physical sleep, but caution against spiritual slumber in the darkness of sin (Rom.13:12-13).

According to medical science, quality sleep is immensely beneficial to health and well-being! Sound sleep keeps the heart healthy; reduces stress, inflammation, and the risk of depression; makes one alert; improves memory, concentration, and productivity; and helps the body repair itself. Lack of sleep and acute inability to sleep – insomnia – are often due to anxiety, worry or an unsettled mind.

The grace to enjoy peaceful sleep is an evidence of assurance of security and safety: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety” (Psa.4:8). Every diligent and hardworking person is entitled to sweet sleep after labour: “The SLEEP of a laboring man is SWEET, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep” (Ecc.5:12).