We hosted a relationship minister during my campus days. Part of the emphasis of her ministration was “Go and sleep,” encouraging us to allow God to work out His will for our marriages. This became our slogan, then; we would joke with ourselves; “Go and sleep.” But this is not only a counsel for marriage, but also for life generally.
Friend, the life of faith is a life of rest in God and His promises. The work of faith is rest (John 6:28-29). Everything we do must be done out of rest, not pressure or agitation. Some people work or take action based on agitation. This is the difference between actions that birth results and the ones that do not.
Most times, we read Psalms 127:2 to mean “He gives His beloved sleep.” While we can claim this as God’s promise and commitment to us, the original rendition actually is that; “He gives His beloved while they sleep.” God’s best only come to those who sleep. Aside from salvation, the greatest miracle that God performed in scriptures happened while man slept (Genesis 2:21-23).
When you are at work (trying to get things done in your energy), God is at rest. But when you are at rest (staying confident in God’s word and promises), God is at work. The only labour that God wants us to labour now is the labour to enter into rest (Hebrews 4:9-11). The finished work of Christ can only become ours practically when we rest (Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:3).
Are you presently troubled or agitated? Go and sleep. God only gives His beloved while they sleep. This is why a man of faith sometimes may look like a carefree person. People who do not know him might think you are not serious about life. There is no other way to be serious than to take God and His word serious (Numbers 23:19).
The secret of triumph in the Kingdom is to take no thought (Matthew 6:25). Worry cannot solve our problems. It only complicates things (Matthew 6:27). Medical science even teaches that growth and repairs happen in our body when we sleep. Rest assured that while you are asleep, He who neither slumbers nor sleeps is working to make your life work (Psalms 121:1-4). Learn to sleep. Did you hear?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria