In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat -- for He grants sleep to those He loves. Psalm 127:2

A marvelous truth is hidden in this sentence. The psalmist is really saying: "He gives to His beloved in sleep." God gives many things to His beloved in sleep: angels to guard their beds, vitality for waiting tasks, fields growing in the silent darkness into tomorrow's bread.

But the highest gift that God gives to His beloved in sleep is the beauty of Jesus. There is something remarkable about the last thought we think before we fall asleep. All through the night that thought continues to work in our subconscious mind. It permeates our inner self. It becomes a part of us.

And what is the last thought of a child of God? It is a thought of prayer, of Jesus who hears prayer. Then we enjoy sleep -- transforming sleep. Through the still hours of the night the Holy Spirit uses that last thought to keep us close to the Lord Jesus. Did we fall asleep last night with a prayer and with a thought of Jesus?

PRAYER: Gracious Savior, speak peace to my soul and let me spend the night in quiet, restful slumber. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 20-21    2 Timothy 4

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