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There remains a rest for the People of God (Hebrews 4:9)
REST IN GOD.
1 Kings 8:56-58
“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers."
Do the "I have to's" keep you awake
We have a lot of responsibilities in our lives and relationships. Expectations from ourselves, our families, mentors and workplaces can get overwhelming. How do we deal with it?
Start with Jesus. Sit & listen to His Voice:
In Luke 10:39-42, Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard God's word while her sister, Martha was distracted making preparations for what she thought she "had to do." Where did Martha's "have to" come from? Jesus did not arrive with a set of demands. Martha made her list up using her best intentions but Jesus said Mary chose well because she kept her attention toward God's Word.
'They said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” - John 6:28-29. This is our "expectation."
God did not put you on this earth for performance or grades defined by man, but to experience God and His Love for you. You do not have to serve "more" to be accepted or loved by God more, nothing will seperate us from God's love towards us (Romans 8:38-39). Seek first His kingdom and the rest will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). You are saved by grace in Jesus Christ not by your works but because of God's endless mercies and forgiveness for us (Ephesians 2:8).
Jesus is the finished work , rest in Him knowing He is your SAVIOUR.
LUKE 10:38-42
'Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”'
When you can't sleep, instead of counting sheep, talk to The Shepherd.
Insomnia
Cast all your care upon Him, for he cares for you - 1 peter 5:7
A persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing poor sleep quality
How do you cast your cares to the LORD?
God encourages us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Praying before bedtime helps our mind be at ease; Helping us focus on God's power and goodness over our lives. Release your fears and concerns by talking to Him about your sorrows and struggles; God wants to be a Father to you and take care of you in every way (2 Corinthians 6:18, Isaiah 46:4). You do not need to be concerned with business (Ecclesiastes 8:16); God blesses all the works of our hands, offspring and even more through our obedience to Him (Deuteronomy 28). If you are concerned about tomorrow, remember, tomorrow will worry about itself for each day has enough worries of its own (Matthew 6:34).
God knows the ultimate reason of why you cannot sleep - It is important to ask Him because God gives wisdom generously to those who ask (James 1:5). We could be concerned with too many fleshly worries or businesses that we aren't giving God, we could be living in flesh/sin instead of spirit so the Holy Spirit in us may be grieved, God may want to talk to you, It is ultimately best to talk to God about it.
Science will tell you the works of the flesh such as coffee, drugs, vaping, alcohol etc. disrupts sleep. If we rely on it to get us to sleep, it does. It is important to be sober-minded and able to hear the Holy Spirit's true voice (1 Peter 5:8).
Nightmares
"For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction. In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man" (Job 33:14-17).
God speaks in all our dreams including the ones we categorise as nightmares. God is the one who sends revelations in the night (Psalm 19:2); and reveals understanding through The Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 2:10-16).
For example, God blessed Daniel with understanding in all visions and dreams (Daniel 1:17). When King Nebuchadnezzar was anxious about his dreams, his spirit was troubled and he struggled to fall asleep (Daniel 2:1, 3). The king called sorcerers, astrologers, magicians and Chaldeans to interpret his dreams but they were unable (Daniel 2:2, Daniel 2:10-12). Daniel asked the Lord to reveal the mystery and God showed Daniel the meaning (Daniel 2:19, Daniel 2:27-29).
Daniel answered:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”' - Daniel 2:20-23
Daniel was also grieved in the spirit and troubled by his own dreams (Daniel 7:15) when God revealed revelations of the end times to him throughout Chapter 7 of the book of Daniel.
Nowhere in the Holy Bible is it written that the evil one has authority to send nightmares. It is God who reveals the truth and prophetic testimonies: The LORD is in control of everything in the heavens and in the earth (Psalm 103:19, Deuteronomy 10:14), including the things that torment us in our sleep; For God himself creates calamities and prosperities, light and darkness (Isaiah 45:7, I Kings 22:19-23, Job 1:6-12).
God doesn't use the evil one to make us suffer, God has plans of peace towards us not evil (Jeremiah 29:11) and He does not bring grief or trouble willingly to men (Lamentations 3:33) But God uses everything for the greater good for those who love him (Romans 8:28): such as discipline, moral enrichment, divine judgement/warnings etc..
So how do we deal with it? Do not be afraid (Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, and John 14:27), Fear only God and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding.
Proverbs 3:24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray for the reader struggling with insomnia to experience Your Love and Rest in their heart, mind and spirit. Thank you for easing their concerns, releasing their tensions, and comforting them. May you help them give their fears to you in Jesus' name, amen.