How To Get Out of Bed When Sorrow Makes You Sleepy

Whether you suffer from a life-long struggle with depression or you simply live life on this earth, most of us have known seasons of sorrow. These are those times when life just seems unbearable and you must battle to just even take another breath. One of the ways our bodies often deal with the stress that deep despair of mind heaps upon us, is to sleep. This morning as I read my Bible. I noticed something I had previously failed to see.

After the event we know as the Last Supper, Jesus headed out to the Mount of Olives, where He goes into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. I always knew that this was a deeply distressing time for Jesus, as He was about to go to the cross where the Holy, sinless Son of God, would become sin for us, paying the ultimate penalty we deserve. Read here Luke’s account of this event.

Luke 22:39-45
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.  And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”  And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow,

I had always looked at the disciples in this story as simply lazy bums, who leave their Lord alone in the garden to pray while they sleep. But Dr. Luke tells us that they were not just tired and lazy, they were sleeping for sorrow. They were broken within themselves. They were depressed, despairing, and probably felt a loss of hope. Not only had they finally woke up to the fact that Jesus was about to die, they had just learned that one of their own would betray Him. But even worse, Jesus had also told them that they too, would abandon Him in this hour of need. I get it. How often my own sin has reminded me of my own experiences of failing Jesus.

Maybe this very morning, you have woken up from sleep wondering how you will get through this day. Sorrow, despair, and feelings of failure permeate your mind. The truth is, this is of the devil. It is a spiritual attack. We are at war with our enemy the devil and he will tell you that all that despair is deserved and that there is no hope.

But Jesus has an answer to these times of sorrow and depression. He knows they are temptations of Satan, who does not want us to turn to God in these times, but instead he tells us to pull up the covers and just go back to sleep. If Satan can keep us in bed sleeping, he knows we will be ineffective as Christ’s disciples. So, listen to what Jesus has to say to us.

 Luke 22:46
“Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Rise and pray that you might not enter into temptation. Jesus speaks not only with authority here, but also with the credibility of knowing true sorrow. As Jesus faced the most sorrowful event ever in human history, He, like us, was in agony. Dr. Luke describes it; “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down.”

Prayer is the answer to rising out of the ash pit of true despair. It was the means by which God empowered Jesus to say, “Not my will, but your will be done.” For God hears the prayers of those who are His when they in humility come to Him in their despair. God even sends help.

Luke 22:43
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

Hebrews 1:13-14
And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?  Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

When we face the trials and temptations of this life, we can go to our Father in Heaven and He will give us the strength to face the day. He will even send angels to help strengthen us.

The story of Jesus in the Garden is a story of both sorrow and of victory over that sorrow. But we must pray and as Jesus did, pray fervently and earnestly. We must, as Jesus did, submit ourselves to the sovereignty of God having faith in the fact that He will bring us through.

I hope this morning; whatever trial you face you will wake up and go to your knees. Pray. And don’t be afraid or too prideful to ask others to pray for you. I will. Just let me know what prayers you need.

Be blessed.

Studies in Psalms - Psalm 4

PSALM 4 - How To Sleep Well

In Psalm 3 we found a morning prayer in which we see how to start off the day facing the difficulties of life. Psalm 4 is the evening counterpart of Psalm 3. We know that the days we face are often difficult, even to those who faithfully follow the ways of Christ. Christians are not promised lives of ease, actually, quite the opposite. Jesus told us this in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” The promise is that we can have peace despite anything the world throws at us. But take notice that Jesus said “in me you may have peace.” He has overcome the world, not us.

So, in Psalm 4 we find a prayer for the evening. And in this prayer, are several commandments in which we must obey if we are to be “in Christ.”

We see that David begins his prayer with questions. It’s ok to go to our Father after a hard day and let Him know we are struggling.

Psalm 4:1-2

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

David remembers how God has helped Him in the past and he refuses to compromise with those who love “vain words” and “seek after lies.” How familiar does that sound to us today? As Christians, the world and its satanic-led media is on constant attack against the truth of God’s Holy Word.

In the next verse, I cannot help but picture David in prayerful communication with God and as He prays, God’s Spirit is speaking to his heart. David is reminded of God’s grace and God’s mercy.

Psalm 4:3
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Again, a reminder to us as Christians that God has called us out of the world to be set apart for Himself. We are to be different. We are not to compromise and tolerate the sinful life the world is trying to force down our throats. God hears our prayers when we commit to the holiness of His commands. So, we stand with God and His Holy law. Sometimes we will battle with our anger at the enemy. Next we find a list of commands to follow and to pray for as we end the day.

Psalm 4:4-5
 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

First of all, be angry but in that anger, do not sin. Paul echoes this in Ephesians 4:26 and reminds us not to let the sun go down on our anger. Take it to God and leave it with Him. Then you can rest and sleep in peace.

Search your own heart. Before going to bed take a hard look at yourself. Be honest and you will see that you have your own sins to repent and confess. Maybe you hurt someone and their sleep will be disturbed. Maybe a quick word of kindness and confession to someone before bed will give both of you a better night’s sleep.

Be silent. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of any sins and then just quietly let Him speak to you. God often speaks quietly to us in whispers but we don’t hear because we are too busy talking.

Offer right sacrifices. Maybe in that quiet time God has spoken on how you can serve Him best. What better things to think on as you go to sleep then how tomorrow you can serve God?

And finally. Trust the Lord. This is what faith is. In this quiet prayer allow God’s Holy Spirit to remind you of how great God’s provision really is. Ask Him for more faith.

David begins to wrap up here and he says this in verses6-7.

 
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

In other words, praise God, for His gifts are far greater than what the world and its stuff have to offer.

Then take your nightly rest in Christ. You can trust Him and if you do peace that transcends all understanding will come.

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Rest in Him.

THE PSALMS – A JOURNEY IN WORSHIP AND FAITH - July 27, 2014 - Day 4 - Psalm 4

Sometimes nighttime can be the hardest. Our day may be filled with trials, with fears, and with difficult circumstances but by God’s grace we survive to live another day. But evening as the sun goes down can be a time when doubts and fears creep in. Closing our eyes to sleep is a time when our minds start to wander and worry and anxiety can overtake us. Psalm 4 is known as a night-time psalm. Possibly David wrote this psalm after a second day of his flight from his pursuing enemies, one of which was his own son. In it we find help for the night.

As in Psalm 3 we see David taking the best, first step in any and all situations; he prays.

Psalm 4:1
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!”

Going into the place of prayer will lead us to the place of peace. But we shall not take hold of God’s peace unless we can come to him in faith and trust that He will take care of us. In this psalm we find David doing just that.

Psalm 4:3
“But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.”

Notice though what has occurred in David, who having placed his trust in God, does not stop there. David understands that to those whom God has chosen to dwell within His salvation, also comes the process of sanctification for “LORD has set apart the godly for himself.” Then David offers advice when he says in verses 4-5, “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.”

Note again the use of the term “Selah.” First we should check our anger, which may lead us to sin, at the door before finishing our night. Then ponder your heart, give some thought to how the day’s events have affected your attitude and take some time to be quiet as you do so. Then comes the pause, Selah. Having gotten our hearts right then and then only can we make our sacrifices to God and put our trust in Him.

David chooses to find his joy in God, not in the things of the world. How many of us turn to alcohol in our evenings in the hope of putting away the harshness of the day? But David finds his joy in the Lord. Psalm 4:7, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”

See the result of David’s choice to go to God in prayer and not only have lifted up his requests, but having then paused and considered his own heart as he gets quiet. Oh how often we say we don’t hear from God yet how could we? We must be quiet to hear from God. But David having done so finishes this psalm saying “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

Want to lie down and sleep with complete peace and safety? Like David, go to God. Skip the nightcap and spend some quiet time with Jesus. He, alone, is the peace we need.