A Little Sleep

by Jane Josephs

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” –Psalm 4:8

I have a friend who suffers from sleep deprivation. She’s tried various remedies, including medication, relaxation tapes, and prayer. She even read the two novels I’ve written in hopes they would put her to sleep. No such luck.

My friend isn’t alone in her struggle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 3 adults in the United States reported not getting enough rest or sleep every day. Nearly 40% of adults report falling asleep during the day without meaning to at least once a month. With those statistics, I couldn’t help but wonder: what does the Bible say about sleep?

As it turns out, there are a number of references, each meaning something different. Several of the ones I liked best detail when God causes a person to “fall into a deep sleep,” such as with Adam when He removed one of Adam’s ribs to make woman (Gen. 2:21). Or with Abram when God made a covenant to give him and his descendants the land from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates (Gen. 15:12,18). Sometimes this “deep sleep” is filled with visions and dreams as was the case with Jacob, Daniel, Zechariah, Isaiah, the Apostles Peter and John, and others.

On a number of occasions in the Bible, “sleeping” is a way of saying a person has died. Jesus told His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep,” when actually Lazarus had been dead for two days at that point (John 11:11).

But one of my favorite references to sleep in the Bible assures us that God never indulges in it. The psalmist declares, “…He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber not sleep” (Ps. 121:3b-4).

In this troubled world, where so many toss and turn and cannot find the rest they desperately need, I find it reassuring to know that our God is steadfastly looking out for us. As humans we need rest for our bodies and brains. The ever-present God doesn’t. I hope you find that as comforting as I do!

Dear Lord, thank you for caring for every aspect of our lives, including our need for sleep. Please comfort us in our times of unrest and worry, that we may deepen our trust in You. Amen.