Deprived!

There are times when SLEEP deprivation is experienced. Having a lot on our mind can make it hard to shut off the brain and get some rest. There are also times we might be keyed up over good things that have happened during the day or be excited about something planned for the next day. My wife generally anticipates me not sleeping well on Sunday nights after a long day of teaching, preaching, and interacting with members of the congregation. Sleeplessness can also occur when we are either perplexed or sorrowful about something that has happened during the day or due to feeling a bit anxious or apprehensive about something we might need to deal with the next. Many reasons may be behind a sleepless night. However, I was struck by a reference in a warning from Solomon that touches on being SLEEP deprived from an entirely different angle.

We read. . .
"(14) Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. (15) Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. (16) For THEY CANNOT SLEEP UNLESS THEY HAVE DONE WRONG; THEY ARE ROBBED OF SLEEP UNLESS THEY HAVE MADE SOMEONE STUMBLE." ( Proverbs 4:14-16 ESV)

Proverbs 4:16 in the New Living Translation reads. . .
"For evil people can't sleep until they've done their evil deed for the day. They can't rest until they've cause someone to stumble." [NLT © 2004, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Ill.]

"CAN'T SLEEP" or "ROBBED OF SLEEP!" What sometimes robs me of sleep is when I know I am at odds with someone else. Even if it is not entirely my fault, I may lie awake at night pondering what I could have done different or what I might do or say to bring about reconciliation. I think it is good for the CONSCIENCE TO BE TOUCHED in this way because a proper relationship with others ought to be important to us. (note principles of Matthew 5:23-24 and Romans 12:18) However, the picture Solomon presented is that the wicked can't sleep "unless they have done wrong" or "made someone stumble." Not because they are troubled by CONSCIENCE, but perhaps due to A LACK OF ONE. It appears to be a picture of the wicked lying awake at night planning and scheming rather than sleeping. It is such a path Solomon exhorted to avoid and from which to turn away.

Referring to the wicked who have no fear of God ( Psalm 36:1), David noted. . .
"(4) HE PLOTS EVIL WHILE ON HIS BED; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil." ( Psalm 36:4 ESV)

Though our faith in God ought to ease the anxieties of life and allow us to get a good night's rest, we may still experience a loss of sleep out of concern for others. It is an entirely different thing to lose sleep due to plotting against them. That -- in effect -- is robbing self of the sleep by being up to no good!

To be deprived of a little SLEEP from time to time is one thing, but the worst deprivation is to live wickedly and lose out on the blessings and good pleasure of God. May we focus on doing GOOD DEEDS FOR THE DAY. Then, if we do still lose some sleep wondering about the events of the day, we can have a sense of calm in knowing we have aimed to do the good Will of God rather than evil. And if our mind begins planning the good we can do for the next day God provides, we might find a sense of calm that ends up soothing us into the rest we will need to carry it out.

Have a great day DEPRIVING THE DEVIL OF HIS JOY BY DOING THE FATHER'S GOOD!
Carl

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