July 2

Refreshing Sleep

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved. — Ps 127:2 BSB

Our lives are not meant to be filled with anxious worry but with joyful faith. Our heavenly Father knows our needs even before we ask Him, and He promises to supply all our needs. Therefore, we can go to bed at a reasonable time without staying up late, plotting and stressing. If we’ve learned to rely on God, we won’t lie awake with worry gnawing at our hearts. Instead, we’ll give our concerns to Him, meditate on His goodness, and rest in peaceful sleep.

To be loved by the Lord is the highest honor. If we have this love, there’s nothing more we could desire. With that, every selfish wish can fade away. What greater blessing is there, even in heaven, than God’s love? Rest, O soul, for you have everything in Him. Yet, even with all the reasons to rest, we will still be restless unless the Lord Himself gives us peace. And He does. Jesus is our peace, our rest, and our all. We can sleep securely in His embrace, both in life and in death.

Sprinkled afresh with pardoning blood,
I lay me down to rest.
As in the embraces of my God,
Or on my Savior’s breast.