Sleepless
Read Psalms 1:1–4:8
1. O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.
2. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”
3. But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
5. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
6. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.
7. Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8. Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people. Psalm 3:1-8
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How well do you sleep when everything seems to be going wrong in your life? Do you lie awake all night worrying about the problems you’ll face in the morning?
In this reading, David reveals his secret for sleeping through the night during an overwhelming crisis. David wrote (Psalm 3) when he was on the run from his son, Absalom, who was bent on usurping his father’s throne. Absalom orchestrated a slick revolt against David, and pretty soon David was running for his life. Wouldn’t that make you sleepless? But David found a cure. As you read (Psalm 3), watch how David praises the aspects of God’s character that give every believer cause to sleep well.
The other psalms in this section have other lessons if you’re willing to pursue them: good reasons to live God’s way (Psalm 1); God’s ultimate rule (Psalm 2); and God’s protection and peace (Psalm 4).
Sleep does not come easily during a crisis. Most people toss and turn with the anxiety, thinking about the problem. David may have had sleepless nights when Absalom rebelled and gathered an army to kill him. But he slept peacefully, even during the rebellion (Psalm 3:5). What made the difference? He knew that the Lord was watching over him.
It is easier to sleep well when we trust God to control our circumstances. The next time you lie awake at night worrying about circumstances you cannot change, pour out your concerns to him until he brings the sleep you need. Ask him to intervene. And thank him for being in control.
