What's Your Favorite Lullaby?

He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Remember what you used to do when a baby wouldn't sleep?

  Soothe the cutie who screamed in the nursery.

  Quiet your precious little angel who howled half the night.

  Reassure the toddler who cried because there was a monster in  the closet.



Remember rocking chairs and lullabies?

But no one’s there to rock us or sing to us when we’re all grown up.

We lie there, eyes wide open.

• Worried about something we did or experienced that day.
• Anxious about what might happen tomorrow.
• Afraid because we can’t see any way out of the pit we’re in.
• Excited about something fantastic that’s happening or will happen.

I've tried closing my eyes and doing some calm-me-down routine.

I've quoted verses in my mind.

I've counted my husband’s snores.

Nothing worked – until I found Zephaniah 3:17

Now, I close my eyes and imagine my Father delighting in my day, bathing me in His love, and singing to me.

What does He sing? I can’t understand the words but I relax as I envision the tenderness on His face.

Before I know it, I’m asleep!

The worries, anxiety, fear, and even the jazzed-up feelings fade away.

And I sleep.

Do you lie awake?

Find quiet in His love and peace in His singing.



When you can’t go to sleep, how do you quiet your mind?

Peaceful sunset unsplash.com
Frightened child  corepics via depositphotos.com
Frustrated woman ruigsantoo  via depositphotos.com

6 Verses to Sleep By!

http://depositphotos.com/

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