Sleeping Soundly

Let me ask you a question.  If you knew you would die the next day, how well would you sleep? Would your eyes close in deep, restful slumber or would you toss and turn, watching the clock, anxiously awaiting the arrival of morning?

Now, let's make the deal a little more intense.  Add to that mournful thought a couple of soldiers chained to either of your wrists and see if that makes a difference.  Maybe their snores would keep you awake, but I don't think that's all that would be holding your eyes open.

Then tell me, how in the world did the Apostle Peter close his eyes in SLEEP the night before he was probably going to be executed by Herod?  The king had already killed James for preaching the Gospel - a horrid action which pleased the Jewish leaders of the day.  Yes, Peter's head was on the proverbial chopping block, and yet, he slept - hard.  As a matter of fact, when the angel appeared to free Peter from his chains, the holy light that filled the room didn't rouse him at all.  Instead, the angel had to poke Peter to stir him back into reality.  What could make his sleep so sound?  What could make Peter sleep like a baby on THIS particular night?

I think I know.  You see, Peter would have had access to the Old Testament, especially the book of Isaiah...Isaiah 26:3 for instance: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  

Peter knew.  He knew that God was still in control, shackles or no shackles.  He knew that whatever happened, it would be okay, whether that meant he was freed or whether he became a martyr. Peter found that "perfect peace," and therefore, sleep came easily for the apostle - even in the midst of serious circumstances.

Now, back to the first question:  If you knew you would die the next day, how well would you sleep? Would your eyes close in deep, restful slumber or would you toss and turn, watching the clock, anxiously awaiting the arrival of morning?  Something to think about, isn't it...in light of what we've just read.

It all boils down to trust.  Do we really, really, really trust Him?  Do we believe that God wants us to be at peace...to be able to sleep, even in the most dire of times?  Our overwhelming response should be "YES, He does."  He is our Heavenly Father, and the One who would never do anything other than what is best.  So, whatever He does, is good...whatever He does is right...and whatever He does is worth our trust.

So, keep your mind upon Jesus and sleep well, my friend.

Dearest Jesus, thank You that I can trust You.  Thank You that as I keep my mind on You, I find perfect peace.