Sleeping # 1

Sleeping # 1

[This article and its companion one, Waking, are not written to entertain the curious, but with the endeavor of giving God His true place, by moving His people unto more thankfulness for what are loosely termed, "His common mercies."]

It seems strange that the average person should spend at least one third of his short life in the sleep state. In comparison with eternity, how exceedingly brief is the span of our mortal existence! Yet the God-fearing soul cannot doubt it has been wisely ordered by his Creator, that such a proportion of that span should be passed in unconsciousness. The Saviour Himself, whose life was infinitely more important than ours, was no exception, for we are told that He slept (Matt. 8:24) - though often the hours of darkness were spent by Him in prayer, while others were slumbering (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12).

Sleep has been aptly defined as "the nurse for tired nature." What cause for gratitude have we, that frayed nerves and weary muscles are refreshed and renewed by a few hours of repose! How glad is many a one whose body is racked with pain throughout the day - to obtain a few hours respite during the unconsciousness of night! Sleep is indeed a merciful provision of God's, which none of us appreciate as highly as we should.

As common as is this mercy, yet thee is an element of mystery about it, for none can define exactly what it is. Nor can any produce it by mere effort of will. It is not sufficiently recognized, that the same One who gave us being, also puts us to sleep each night. Yes, even when tired out from the heavy labor of the day, we become unconscious almost as soon as our head rests on the pillow. At some time or other, the majority of us are made painfully aware of the fact that we cannot put ourselves to sleep. When a hacking cough refuses to be silenced, when an over-active brain or disturbed mind declines to relax, when what is termed "insomnia" affects us - the more eagerly sleep is sought, the more it eludes us.

"And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept" (Gen. 2:21) is the first reference to our subject in the Scriptures; and while that instance was an extraordinary one, yet it was illustrative of a principle of universal application - our sleep is "caused" by our Maker, and is not brought on by ourselves.

Before proceeding farther, let us here utter an earnest word of warning against attempts of produce artificial sleep, or cure insomnia, by the use of drugs. Any attempt to force "nature" is dangerous, and usually leads to disaster. In nine-tenths of cases, the effect is, in the end, to increase the disorder. Most narcotics and sedatives have to be taken in increasing larger doses, if they are to produce any continued effect; and frequently, the patient becomes the slave of narcotic habits. Far better to spend the night in restless tossing, than resort to what is likely to issue in a complete breakdown. Better still, seek thee cause.

Likewise, no form of stimulant is free from risk. Anyone who attempts to do by artificial strength what cannot be done by natural - to supply by the use of some stimulant a temporary energy for activity to which one would be unequal without it - is courting trouble. There is always a proportionate reaction, and sometimes a collapse is the outcome.

Millions today are suffering from nervous disorders as a result of Sabbath desecration, forfeiting the physical and mental benefits which rest from secular tasks and occupying the mind with divine things produces. There are other passages of Holy Writ, besides Genesis 2:21, which teach that sleep is not only a merciful provision of the Creator's but also a divine gift, caused by Him. On one occasion, the Psalmist said, "You hold my eyes waking" (Psalm 77:4). The Hebrew word for "hold" here is a very strong one, being rendered to "keep hold on" in 2 Samuel 2:21, and "fastened" in Esther 1:6. Asaph was unable to close his eyes, sleep being withheld from him.

Another example where sleep was divinely denied, is that of Ahasuerus, of whom we read, "On that night the king could not sleep" (Esther 6:1); or as the margin more literally renders it, "Sleep fled away" - the whole context showing that it was a care of divine interposition which prevented his slumbers.

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 2)