Can't Sleep? Read This Scripture.

We all have struggled with getting a good night's sleep. It might be because we are overwhelmed or worried about something, it might be due to noisy thoughts, it might be due to health issues or any other number of reasons.

Instead of trying to get a good night's sleep, how about if we focus on getting a "peaceful" night's rest? When we are feeling "at peace", we are relaxed which leads to a restful night, no matter how many hours of sleep we get.

God has provided many words of peace, but there is one that stands out and that can be found in Psalms 23.

“[1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. [4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Within this passage, we are reminded of our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who tells us in John 10:11,

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

And we read in Ezekiel 34:3,

"You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord."

Our Great Shepherd promises to watch over us, protect us, nurture us, refresh us, anoint us, guide us, provide for us, and give us peace.

He gives us more assurance of these promises in Ezekiel 34:11-12, &16,

[11] “ ‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. [12] As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
[16]I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak."

With such assurances, we can quiet our thoughts and worries during the night, because He is our protector and rescuer. We can relax, because He is our healer and our redeemer in all things. We can have a "peaceful" night's rest because our Great Shepherd is keeping guard over us, His precious sheep.

Let us finish with these praises to our Lord found in Psalms 100:3-5,

"[3] Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. [5] For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

So the next time you are tossing and turning during the night, read Psalms 23 and thank your Great Shepherd for keeping you under his care.
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