A RESTFUL SOUL

 A RESTFUL SOUL

Ps. 4:8 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. NLT

What do we do when we can’t sleep? Many of us do what the world tells us to do; we pop a pill. We are led to believe that sleeping soundly is not going to happen without the aid of a pill. We are told that it is normal for us to be that way. We are told that when we pop the pill we will wake up wide awake with both feet on the ground, with a smile on our face, and ready to face another day.

Long before sleeping pills were ever created, the Psalmist declared that he had no problem with insomnia. Why? Because he rested in the knowledge that he was secure and safe in the Lord. Knowing that the Lord had him in His hand was reason enough to be able to sleep. He clearly understood some things that put his soul at ease.

The restfulness of the soul affects the restfulness of the body. The restfulness of the soul stems from a right relationship with God. Righteousness with God flows from right living before God. Right living flows from sins forsaken. Sins forsaken flow from sins forgiven. Sins forgiven stem from sins confessed. Sins confessed stem from sins acknowledged. Sins acknowledged stem from God’s revelation to us.

When we are right with God we don’t have to think about and fret over things that don’t matter. All that really matters is whether or not we are at peace with God. When life’s concerns won’t let us rest, we need to rest in God’s promises. Instead of popping a pill, we need to pop into our soul God’s Word. We need to hide his Word into our hearts so that when we need them, we have them.

If you are not able to focus on God’s Word before you go to bed, be sure that you learn it well so that you can meditate on it when you can’t sleep. There is no better way to fall asleep than to be thinking about God’s promises.

Instead of taking a pill to help you sleep, do two things: don’t consume caffeine products at bedtime, and meditate on God’s Word. I am sure that if you do these two things you will be able to say with the Psalmist that you will lie down in peace and sleep, for you will know the Lord will keep you safe.

Do yourself a favor and keep moving closer to Christ. There you will find rest for your soul.