Our bodies require it, our minds can’t function without it and a third of our lives comprise it.
Sleep. An activity in which the eyes are closed and consciousness of our surroundings is altered. For most, sleep occurs at night. We cannot wait to hit the pillow at the end of a hard day.
The amount of sleep we need varies by age. According to Discoverhealthinfo.com, teenagers need 1–2 hours per night more than adults. Adults are recommended to have 7–9 hours of sleep each night; that number drops to 7–8 hours by age 65 and older.
“Sleep is one of the most vulnerable states that we can be in,” says Marc Webb, author of the newly released book, “A Theology of Sleep: Trusting in the Lord When You Are Most Vulnerable,” published by WestBow Press. “Sleep is so much more than just a physical benefit or part of our daily routine. Sleep reveals how much we need God. Every time we go to sleep it is a reminder to trust in the Lord to watch over us, to keep us, to protect us, to sustain us.”
Although we are made in His image, sleep is one of the ways we differ from God. He created us to require sleep while “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps. 121:4). God is always working.
“Sleep reveals who we are, and it also reveals the nature of God too,” Webb said.
In the second chapter of Genesis Adam falls into a deep sleep while God removes one of his ribs to create a woman. Since he was asleep, Adam had no part in the creation, highlighting God’s power and might.
Interest becomes personal
Webb, senior pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky, was prompted to explore what the Bible says about sleep after struggling for years with sleep and fatigue issues. When he was in middle school he began to need two-hour naps every day. That increased to four to five hours per day by the time he was a senior in high school. He found himself in bed almost 15 hours a day.
His parents knew something wasn’t right so they took him to see numerous doctors, but got no answers. Finally a friend suggested he see a cardiologist. It turned out Webb had a one-inch hole in his heart and one side of his heart was three times larger than normal.
Although his heart is better after surgery, Webb continues to battle other health issues in adulthood. Ongoing fatigue and a dire need for sleep have not subsided.
While the book stems from Webb’s personal challenges, he was more interested in the theological nature of sleep, specifically how the Bible addresses sleep. How often is sleep a part of God’s story? What role does sleep play in His purpose for our lives? Are there any spiritual or theological ramifications to our nightly rest?
The action of sleep is scattered throughout the Bible, connecting significant events and conversations — Samson and Delilah, and the angelic visitations to Mary and Joseph, to name a few.
Connection of sleep and spirituality
But could there be any implications associated with sleep for our spiritual lives? Yes! Jonah slept soundly through a severe storm while sailing in the opposite direction from where God told him to go. According to Webb, Jonah’s sleep is a sign of disobedience, selfishness and a failure to follow God’s calling.
In contrast, David slept peacefully although he was under intense political pressure from his son. He slept safe and secure, knowing God was in control.
Sometimes lessons can be learned through dreams, like King Nebuchadnezzar’s bold challenge for someone to recall and interpret his dream. Through God’s guidance, Daniel was the only one to meet the king’s outrageous demands and in so doing, he proved that God is more powerful than even the most powerful human being on earth.
More than a daily routine
Years of research for Webb’s book included numerous commentaries, books and guides from notable sources such as Warren Wiersbe, Matthew Henry, C.S. Lewis, John Piper and Charles Spurgeon.
“Sleep is a vital element by which God teaches, matures and sanctifies our lives,” Webb said, and the idea serves as the overall theme of his devotional-style book.
Twenty-five Bible stories were selected, including stories about Isaac’s night in the desert and Uriah sleeping in David’s palace. Dreams of Ezekiel, and Eliphaz, Job’s friend, are among the stories, each with a spiritual truth.
The stories are not a comprehensive collection of all the Bible says about sleep.
“I wanted to save some stories for my next volume,” Webb chuckled.
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