6 Verses to Sleep By!

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I’ve been battling insomnia the past couple weeks.

Lie awake until 2 a.m. or so, get up for a while, go back to bed and sleep 2-3 hours.

Bummer.

I finally rummaged around and found the list of Scripture verses I use in times like this. They reassure me and help me relax.

I thought that someone out there might need these too. Most of them are in Psalms but there are a few from other places.

1.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  he restores my soul. Psalm 23:2-3

What a peaceful image. Green pastures, still waters. Can you imagine the feel of the cool green grass and the sound of the water? Close your eyes and relax. God's there to restore you.

2. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Sometimes our minds just won’t slow down or we’re caught in the fear of “what-ifs.” To sleep in peace is just what we need.

 

3. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3:5

When we struggle with worries about finances or health, this verse reminds us that He’s there to take care of us and sustain us, no matter what tomorrow brings.

 

4. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.  Isaiah 32:18

Worried about a leaky roof or an AC that can’t cool the house? Be assured that God is in control of our homes. He will provide. We can be secure in His provision and our sleep can be peaceful and undisturbed.

 

5. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. Psalm 145:4-5

When I’m on edge, this reminds me that I am the Lord’s delight and He has given me grace and mercy. It’s wonderful to fall asleep humming praise songs of joy and gratitude

 

6. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

One of my favorites. When we're tossing and turning, we can be assured that God is with me, that He surrounds us with His love and sings over us. I often ask Him to put me to sleep with His lullabies.

 

And most important:

Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

Whatever’s going on in our lives, nothing catches God by surprise! He doesn’t fall asleep and miss something. His eyes are on us 24/7.

Praise the Lord!

 

Sweet dreams!

 

 

Grandson, Rafael



I Love Dandelions!

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves,

and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning

and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:14

I love dandelions! I have since I was a child. I pick them and gently blow; the light feathers float away. It makes me smile every time.

It’s hard to find a dandelion here in west Texas. All you see are bare stems sticking up from the grass; all the feathers torn away by the wind. But, occasionally, I see one out in a field.

As I blew on one the other day, I was reminded of Ephesians 4:14,

“Blown here and there by every wind of teaching.”

For many of us, our knowledge of scripture is like the feathers of the dandelion. We are blown apart by this doctrine and that. We float on teachings that coddle us with what we want to hear rather than challenge us with the hard truths of God’s Word.

Where am I in my grasp of God’s teachings?

Do I stand firm on the truths He proclaims or do I float around with every gentle wind?

Am I attached securely to my beliefs or am I weak in my faith?

God's desire is that we be firmly implanted in His Word. What can I do to strengthen my bond to Him? Time in Scripture, time in prayer, reading devotionals?


What works for you?