Since we spend a quarter to a third of our lives asleep, one would think that Scriptures would help us understand the mystery of sleep. It does. The beatitudes are virtues brought to perfection by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the crown jewel of discipleship.
Among them is: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) The peace of sleep becomes a kind of final beatitude, a daily reminder of God’s desire to give us rest from our toil. From the beginning of Scripture, sleep is a pleasing metaphor for inescapable death. Moses is told that he will “sleep with his fathers.” (Deuteronomy 31:16) David “slept with his fathers” and was buried.
(I Kings 2:10) Daniel speaks of those who “sleep in the dust of the earth.” But not all sleep is peaceful: “some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2) Every night, we rehearse our own passing, surrendering our control, consciousness, and strength, trusting that we will awaken again. Scripture also describes sleep as a sign of divine protection and a peaceful conscience.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8) Upright living brings rest (Isaiah 57:2). Honest labor produces sweet sleep (Ecclesiastes 5:12). Trust in God gives courage even amid storms—so much so that Jesus Himself sleeps in a boat tossed by waves. At the same time, His disciples panic (Matthew 8:23-26). We sleep in peace because we know Who is in charge.
Sleep is also a place of mysterious encounters. God meets His people in sleep, sometimes through dread and darkness, sometimes through overwhelming glory. Abram falls into a deep and terrifying darkness before God seals His covenant (Genesis 15:12). Daniel collapses