Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 26, 2017
By Tripp Prince
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
In recent years, survey after survey has concluded the same thing: we don’t get enough sleep, and it has a significant impact on our daily lives. One survey, for example, estimates that roughly 40% of all Americans fall asleep during their daily activities. This lack of sleep contributes to the rise of driving related accidents, decreased concentration, and an inability to perform basic professional and domestic tasks.
However, lack of sleep is not simply a public health issue, it also poses a risk to our spiritual health!
When we choose to prioritize sleep, we are making an intentional choice to depend upon God for our strength and sustenance. We as disciples of Jesus are choosing to follow the rhythms of work and rest that he modeled for us so perfectly. And in a world of constant distraction and stimulation, with never ending social media feeds and a steady supply of streaming shows, we are instead choosing to intentionally close our eyes and entrust our souls and bodies to the loving care of our Lord.
Sometimes, we dismiss physical needs like sleep or food as unspiritual or disconnected from our spiritual health. We assume the spiritual life means the nonphysical life. It is the world of our thoughts, prayers, and intentions, not the world of our bodily needs, habits, or actions. This is a false dichotomy that must be rejected!
The Christian life is a journey in which Christ’s life becomes our own, and this conformity to his ways includes even the seemingly mundane parts of our daily lives. In fact, I’m convinced that real growth in Christ is found, not in the exceptional, but in the ordinary.
Commit each day to the Lord in prayer and faithful devotion. Learn to discern the voice of the Lord in the midst of the chaos of school, work, or family schedules. And end each day with intentional surrender, resting in peace knowing that the Lord is your sustainer and protector. This is the way of wisdom, and these seemingly ordinary habits are the steps by which God brings genuine and sustainable spiritual growth.
Prayer
A prayer to pray before sleep: “Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.”Application
Set a timer for bedtime and go to sleep early each night this week.Related Reading
Genesis 2:2-3; Psalm 31; Matthew 11:28-30Post/Tweet today
Lack of sleep is not simply a public health issue, it also poses a risk to our spiritual health! #WisdomHunters #sleepWorship Resource
6 minute video: Jonathan and Melissa Helser: Beautiful Jesus Check out Shana and Boyd’s newest devotional book Two Minutes in the Bible for Women. Pre-Order now! If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision. Learn how to help. Our free Apple appDonate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
Comments are closed.
God bless
Dear Wisdom Hunter’s reader,
Thank you and God Bless you.
We are thankful that you are a part of our Wisdom Hunter’s family.
Blessings,
Gwynne
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4: 2