“I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.” (Psalm 3:5 NLT).
David wrote this psalm after he had to flee from his son, Absalom, who sought to overthrow him and take his crown. Surely he was overcome by grief from this betrayal. Sleep had no doubt eluded him during this time. Yet, he finally lay down and slept. And when he awoke, he was thankful that the Lord had watched over him.
Have worries and fears ever kept you from sleep? When sleep finally comes, it is a gift. For who watches over us when we sleep? Who keeps our hearts beating and our lungs breathing? And who keeps the earth spinning and causes the sun to rise the next day? Certainly not those who sleep. And even those awake have no sustaining power. For it is the Lord who watches over us whether we are awake or asleep.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You. For You are our Creator, Savior and Sustainer. You alone are worthy of our praise. Thank You for restful sleep and for the joy of a new day with You. Strengthen us for Your service today. In Jesus’ name, amen.