The Bible teaches us that God wants us to sleep well and gives us a secret for doing that. King David wrote:
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (ESV)
For several years David lived as a man on the run. King Saul was jealous and afraid of David, knowing that God had selected him to replace Saul as king. Even though David was determined to do nothing to harm Saul or to hurry the transition, Saul was paranoid and made David’s life miserable by pursuing him through the wilderness in order to put him to death. David experienced several “near misses” when Saul seemed to have him cornered, but God saved the day each time. Despite this continual harassment and pressure, David was able to sleep in peace. How did he do this? The secret was that he was assured that God was his Shepherd and Keeper.
Psalm 23, probably the most famous psalm David ever wrote, contains these well-known verses.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23:4-6 (NKJV)
David was convinced in his heart that God was with him in every situation. God’s presence assured him that he had nothing to fear. David’s enemies would have to penetrate God’s defensive presence in order to reach him. They were all around, but God give him peace and rest anyway.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills– From whence comes my help?2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. Psalm 121:1-8 (NKJV)
Although David was not the author of Psalm 121, it is in complete agreement with Psalm 23. When we sleep, God, our Protector, is awake. If we are convinced that we can safely trust in God to keep us while we sleep, our rest will be peaceful. The secret to sleeping well in the midst of danger is to know God as Shepherd and Keeper.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I depend upon you to guard my life while I sleep. You are my Shepherd, and, as long as you are with me, I will fear no evil. You are my Keeper who is always awake to guard my life. Holy Spirit, please confirm my heart in these truths so that I can rest undisturbed. I renounce worry and fear and embrace the peaceful sleep that you give. Amen.
