It is such a simple concept, but I was still taken aback when our preacher shared it Sunday morning:
“Sleep is a daily reminder from God that we are not God.”
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
(Psalm 127:1-2)
What is so astounding about this Scripture and the complementing truth? Perhaps it is that I unintentionally exalt in how much I can accomplish by sacrificing sleep and rest. And when it really comes down to it, such laboring is in vain if I think myself capable of defying the vulnerability and weakness God wove into the fibers of my being.
I was MEANT to rely on Him, to trust in Him, to run out of steam, to find myself incapable of doing it all.
Unless God builds it, unless He’s in it, all the laboring is in vain.
He WANTS us to grow weary, to call it quits, and to REST…which is precisely what we are called to in coming to the redemption of our souls, isn’t it? That IS the Gospel.
If you are weary of trying so hard, if you are ready to call it quits on your own righteous efforts, Christ offers you TRUE REST.
And, if you are in Christ, then graciously embrace the daily gift– the daily reminder– that God is at work and is fully capable to continue His work in you and in all the world, while you sleep and rest.
(And as a side note, if you are a blogger…can I encourage you to look to this passage as a reminder that it is God who builds your audience, your writing, your platform? Let us not labor away at blogging and platform-building in vain, fellow-bloggers!)
“Sleep is a daily reminder from God that we are not God…
…Sleep is a parable that God is God and we are mere men. God handles the world quite nicely while a hemisphere sleeps. Sleep is like a broken record that comes around with the same message every day: Man is not sovereign. Man is not sovereign. Man is not sovereign. Don’t let the lesson be lost on you. God wants to be trusted as the great worker who never tires and never sleeps. He is not nearly so impressed with our late nights and early mornings as he is with the peaceful trust that casts all anxieties on him and sleeps.”
-John Piper, from A Brief Theology of Sleep
Be at rest today, friends!
Now, let’s join in community with a link up!
Welcome to GraceLaced Mondays, a link up dedicated to sharing any and all blog posts by like-minded lovers of grace–God’s grace! Grace is found in the everyday when you are intentional about taking note of it…and I invite you to share your story, great or small, of how everyday moments are full of Grace.
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I will always remember the day when my professor in seminary said, “In the Bible, to rest is to worship.” And there is also that quote from Dr. Carson: “Sometimes the godliest thing you can do in the universe is get a good night’s sleep — not pray all night, but sleep.”
Yup, I love that DA Carson quote too!
That little bit of wisdom touched me as well this morning. Well, after a good night’s sleep, you can enjoy some allergy-free Aussie Bites I posted!
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs and blessings to you, Angie! I can’t wait to try your recipe….I love those little guys!
Wow – that sentence caught me too! We have limits – God has none. What a way to feel humbled… consistently. (In a good way.)
Thank you for sharing.
Lori, I agree– it is so freeing to know we are finite!! Praise God!
Amen. I’ve recently learned that if I don’t slow down on my own, I will be STILLED, and I didn’t like the lesson very much. What a powerful word, and a potent reminder. We were meant to rely upon Him.
Peace and good to you.
It’s so hard to be stilled by the Lord, but what a blessing it is to have Him graciously reveal our limitations to us…for our good. Thanks, Chelle!
Beautiful reminder that He leads us beside the still waters to restore our soul. Thanks for the great post & for hosting, & God bless!
Thanks for being a part of this community, Laurie!
Love the John Piper quote! Feeling tired and weary today, this post is just what I needed:)
I’m praying you find the encouragement and renewal you need, Christina!
Seconds before I read your post I left a message for a single mom who is choosing to work seven days a week so she can pay some bills. I’m eager to share your post with her! I’ve never thought about rest as worship -a powerful thought. Thank you!
Christy, I think that is such a great idea–to share these thoughts with a single mom who may be struggling with juggling it all. The practicalities of life require that we steward our time right with hard work and persistance, but clearly, we are all in need of learning to trust more in the midst of TRYING so hard….Blessings to you!
Oh, I needed so desperately to read this tonight. Thank you for your wise words here, Ruth.
Praying for your encouragement this day, Annie!