There are clear warnings in Scripture not to love sleep too much, for such inordinate desire can lead to laziness and poverty (Prov. 20:13). On the other hand, our wise God created us as creatures that need sleep to survive. So we must balance our need for sleep with our need for productivity.
David wrote in Psalm 3:5, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.” In Psalm 4:8 we find these words, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Solomon wrote, “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet” (Ecc. 5:12). Few things feel as good as lying down and closing one’s eyes at the end of a busy day. So let us regularly stop and express gratitude to God for the peaceful sleep we enjoy.
After all, it is His sustaining power and sleeplessness that keep us safe and well. At the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the king prayed to God “that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day…” (1 Kings 8:29). One of the Psalms of Ascents declared, “He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psa. 121:3-4).
Slipping into a state of unconsciousness each night can make one vulnerable to everything from mischievous children to burglars. But I can pillow my head in peace knowing that even though I sleep, God does not. While I’m out cold, God’s eyes are wide open watching me and those I love. So even if I drift off into eternity in my slumber, I still will not be alone.
Sleep is a tremendous blessing. What’s more of a blessing is knowing that our God never needs it.