This message by C.J. Mahaney is the first of four in a series titled “Sanctifying the Ordinary.” The basis of the entire series is on Psalm 24:1
1The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
This verse shows the sovereignty of God over all of life. God is always present and active in all of life. All mundane events are opportunities to praise God. When we see a work of art, we should not just give praise to the artist, but to our “wildly generous” God who has willingly bestowed the artist a gift and also that He has given it for us to enjoy. Glorifying God in all of life is the desire of genuine Christians and a command clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 10:31. The New Testament as a whole paints this view of Christian living. The whole of life is a service to God and we must be good stewards of our lives.
God created and provided sleep. We should not be surprised to find many Scripture references to sleep because we spend 1/3 of our lives asleep! Our attitude toward and perspective of sleep is important to be able to glorify God in all things. We should not be falling asleep the same was as nonbelievers do.
I. Sleep is a daily gift from God
Psalm 127:1-2
1Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Note v. 2, “for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Christians should toil, but the toil should not be anxious because God is sovereign. Christians who are excessively devoted to work and lack sleep are arrogant. Strength is regenerated during sleep—what a gift! Awaken thanking God for the sleep He has given. As a footnote, Mahaney reminds his listeners that Christians should not condone sleep as a means of laziness.
II. Sleep is a daily reminder from God
Sleep is a daily reminder of dependence on God. God could have created us without a need for sleep, but it reminds us we are finite creatures. When we have trouble falling asleep, it may mean we are not depending on God. Mahaney qualifies that statement carefully, acknowledging the many different reasons why sleep may not come (such as too much caffeine). But any Christian with trouble sleeping should ask themselves whether or not they are fully trusting God.
Psalm 3:1-6
1O LORD, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2many are saying of my soul,
there is no salvation for him in God.
Selah3But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4I cried aloud to the LORD,
and he answered me from his holy hill.
Selah5I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
What is happening in this Psalm is that David has a contract out on his head and his son, Absalom, has betrayed him. David could sleep though he was pursued by so many enemies. The immense trust he had in God is evident from the outset of Psalm 3. A man could not sleep in such circumstances unless he fully trusted in God. Usually it only takes one enemy in our lives to make us miserable, tossing and turning in bed, whereas David had hundreds! Sleep is a unique opportunity to acknowledge we are creatures and also acknowledge trust in God.
III. Sleep is a daily occasion to examine our hearts before God
Psalm 4:4
4Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
Selah
Seize this seemingly ordinary routine of sleep and make it meaningful. Be silent. Usually during the day we are preoccupied with so many things that we don’t have the time to examine ourselves. We are not consistently aware of attitudes and motivations of our hearts. Before falling asleep we can quietly reflect on our hearts and review our day, but do so with “grace-guided examination.”
Proverbs 3:19-24
19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
20by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.21My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
23Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
24If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Mahaney emphasizes that the passage does not just say “sleep,” but sweet sleep. If we walking securely, we sleep sweetly. If sleep is not sweet, begin examination with your relationship with God. Once again, Mahaney notes that he is not dismissing other reasons for poor sleep, but examination should always begin with sin. Furthermore, we always conduct examinations of sin in shadow of the cross (remembering the atoning sacrifice of Jesus).
If it is possible, we should try to make our final thoughts every night to be thoughts of gratefulness for the Son’s substitutionary sacrifice for all our sins.
Sources Information:
From: Sovereign Grace Ministries
When: N/A
Title: A Biblical Understanding of Sleep
Speaker: C.J. Mahaney
Download: Source – Sovereign Grace Ministries
