Slumber Party

The term slumber party has always amused me. You all get into your pajamas, go to your friend’s house, and spend the night eating, watching a movie, and sharing stories with each other. You do everything except sleep! It’s more like a party without slumber.

As we grow older, these slumber parties are replaced by all-nighters as we prepare for exams and other academic requirements. We have our friends come over to stay up all night with us—not to share fun conversations but to work on papers due the next day. We gulp down cups and cups of coffee just so we don’t doze off and miss the deadline.

When life goes beyond slumber parties and thesis deadlines, it’s still not uncommon to lose sleep. A sick parent, an unresolved relationship conflict, waiting for a job offer, and anxiety about the future often rob us of sleep and quality rest. For an overthinker and worrier like me, sleep sometimes becomes a luxury.

In times when getting shut-eye seems unheard of—and the uncertainty of the next minute jolts us awake—we can choose to lift our eyes to our Lord and Savior. Jesus watches over us.

When situations are beyond our control, staying awake through the night won’t be of any help. Instead, we can rest because Jesus promises to ultimately keep us from all harm; we are held in His love and presence as He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Psalm 121:7; Romans 8:28, 38-39).

God never sleeps, so we can sleep soundly in His embrace. • Jennifer A. Sun

• Why can the Lord be trusted to take care of His people even when we are facing big problems (Psalm 121:2; 145:9; 1 Peter 5:7; Revelation 21:1-5)?

• God calls us to rest because we’re human (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). We can’t keep going and going because we’re not God. Resting also reminds us that nothing we can do will earn God’s favor; that’s a gift He gives through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 4:9-10). How do these truths affect your perspective on resting?

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. Psalm 121:3-4 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Psalm 121