Sleep symbolizes rest and who does not like rest. Rest from tiring work. Even God liked to take rest after six days work. Sleep can rejuvenate the lost energy. Hence there are many benefits of sleeping. But in spiritual life sleeping can be disastrous. When you are a spiritual warrior, you are supposed to keep your eyes open and see through the plans of the enemy.
Now why do we sleep? We sleep because of the following reasons: –
We sleep when we know there’s someone to pray for us.
Then He returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “Are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? (Mark 14:37)
Jesus trained his disciples for almost three and half years and now time has arrived for Jesus to complete his work in this world and that is to get crucified on that Calvary cross. He was in anguish. But his disciples are sleeping not knowing anything. They depend on Jesus a lot. When They faced storm, Jesus was there. when they faced financial crisis, Jesus was there. When they faced embarrassment, Jesus was there. In all kinds of trouble Jesus was there. Jesus was worried about this and He always used to say to them “How long shall I stay with you?”
When we know that we have someone who will pray for us, who will help us and who will provide us with the support, we tend to sleep. When our life goes smooth, we sleep. And when God’s loved one sleep, He will come to wake him up. That’s why God pulls you out of your comfort zone and prevents you from sleeping. Just like His disciples went sleepless when Jesus Christ died on the Calvary cross.
We sleep when we our body is exhausted and tired.
While he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. (1 Kings 19:4,5)
Elijah the Man of God, challenged Baal, Ahab king of Israel, and all the people, stopped rain for almost three and half years after doing all these things he is afraid and tired. He wanted to do something better than his ancestors. But in this long run he is tired and wants death just like his ancestors who have already tasted death.
We too have some aims, we too want to do something different, but we get tired of the hard work we put in. When we see no results, we get tired. We get tired when none of our promises get fulfilled. Ultimately, we sleep. Remember, all ten virgins fell asleep waiting for that bridegroom. Even if you are a fool or a wise virgin, time will lead you to drowsiness. But when you wake up or better say when God wakes you up, you should know what to do next. He will not come empty handed, He will come with something that will energize you, which will help you to run for a very long time. But when you sleep don’t lose the oil or anointing you have or else you will run like those foolish virgins.
When God puts you to sleep.
So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s rib and closed up the place with flesh. (Genesis 2:21)
When God saw Adam has no helper, He made him fall asleep and formed Eve out of Adam’s ribs. Perhaps this is one of the best reasons to fell sleep. When you sleep, God is preparing someone or something for you. When you wake up you will see that marvelous work of His hand. God also puts people to sleep for their own destruction.
Don’t sleep, keep watch, for you don’t know when your call may come, especially when you are placed in the QUIVER OF GOD.
May GOD bless you all…