When you lie down, you will not be afraid [and] your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24
Sleep is a necessary—but sometimes elusive—part of life. At times we may sense the voice of the Holy Spirit bringing unconfessed sin to our mind. Or we begin worrying about our job, our relationships, our finances, our health, or our children. Soon a full-scale dystopian future starts running on a loop in our brain. We assume we nodded off for a bit, but when we look at the clock, we realize it’s been only moments since we last checked.
In Proverbs 3:19–24, King Solomon suggested that we can receive sleep benefits when we embrace God’s wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. In fact, he claimed, “They will be life for you . . . . When you lie down, you will not be afraid [and] your sleep will be sweet” (vv. 22, 24).
Maybe we all need a “middle-of-the-night” song, prayer, or Bible verse to softly whisper to help us shift our jumbled-up thoughts to a mind fully focused on God and His character. A clear conscience and a heart full of gratitude for God’s faithfulness and love can bring us sleep that’s sweet.
Read: Proverbs 3:19-24 (NIV)
19 By wisdomb the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,c
by understanding he set the heavensd in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son,e do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,f
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,g
an ornament to grace your neck.h
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,i
and your foot will not stumble.j
24 When you lie down,k you will not be afraid;l
when you lie down, your sleepm will be sweet.
INSIGHT
- How might turning to God when you can’t sleep give you peace?
- What song, prayer, or Scripture can you meditate on to help you focus on God?
The Bible uses imagery for creation that can seem strange to modern readers: The Old Testament describes the earth as sitting on foundation pillars (see 1 Samuel 2:8; Job 9:6; 38:4–11; Psalms 18:15–16; 75:3; Proverbs 8:22–29). Today, we might dismiss it as simply metaphorical. But to the original audiences, it showed that Yahweh was the true God.
The ancient world imagined cosmic geography not as planets orbiting the sun, but as a table-like Earth set on massive pillars above unfathomable waters of chaos. Above, a huge dome separated the dry land from those same waters above. And all of it—the earth, the waters, the sky—were the products of warring gods.
Proverbs 3:19–20 proclaims that God alone created the earth. And this same God—whose wisdom is seen in the majesty of creation—provides us with wisdom so we can navigate life in a way that honors Him.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for loving me. Help me to focus on Your faithfulness instead of the worries of this life. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Proverbs 3:19-24 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Exodus 39–40; Matthew 23:23–39
