Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, special people.

No sunshine outside this morning. In fact there is a light dusting of fresh snow. We’re still here at the Huston residence with plans to go to church with them—then head home early afternoon. Elvin and I have our guitars tuned up in preparation for presenting a song together at their church.

One additional idea I had in processing the sleep tangent I took this morning is to rephrase Romans 6:11: “In the same way count yourselves as being asleep to sin, worry, and fear—but awake to seeking and trusting God for the safety and security that only He can provide through Christ Jesus.” Amen!

Have a blessed 3rd day of this New Year.

Love, Dad/Ray.

The Bible has to be true! Psalm 3:5 is proof. “I lie down and sleep; I wake up again, because the LORD sustains me.” That is exactly what happened again for me last night. Of course my tongue is in my cheek, and I’m having some fun with a regular redundant reality. Nevertheless, this really is a wonderful truth. Sleep itself is a wonderfully automated gift from the Creator, essential for refurbishing and sustaining our physical lives. Sleep even curbs my worries and fears. It’s difficult to worry and sleep at the same time. Nor do I give any thought to beating my heart, inhaling and exhaling, or digesting my supper. If those functions were up to me, I would definitely worry—I’d be afraid to sleep.

Can we apply the metaphor of sleep in a slightly different way that is practical and balanced?—without too much ideological stress? Reflect again at phrases like, “Have no fear,” “Trust in the LORD” (Proverbs 3:5-6), and “My soul finds rest in God alone” (Psalm 62:1) as expressions to describe this kind of peaceful sleep that we are wise to intentionally practice while we’re awake.

This chaotic world around us with all its noise and jostling certainly threatens to disturb this form of essential sleep. After all, people have good reason to be on edge concerning the threat of “sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked”—and impacts everyone else. David was definitely not on a pleasant roll when he composed Psalm 3. Notice the caption over it that reads, “A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.” It couldn’t have been a fun experience to be caught up in such a revolt! And yet he is able to exclaim, “I lie down to sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side” (Psalm 3:5-6).