Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 / 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Today’s Verse: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV
To sleep means the body and the mind go into a rest state.
It is a time when we are taking the time to refuel.
In a devotional I was reading it was talking about a Scottish paster from another era.
He was telling the story of an elderly woman in his parish that lived in a remote part of Scotland.
She had always wanted to see the city of Edinburgh, but she was afraid to take the long journey.
She was afraid because of the long, dark tunnel that the train had to pass through to get there.
One day she made the decision to board the train and go to Edinburgh.
As the train headed toward the city, her feelings of worry began to increase.
But before the train reached the tunnel, the woman worn out with worry, fell fast asleep.
When she awoke, she had already arrived in the city!
Sleep is a daily reminder for us to trust in God.
How we should not be anxious for anything but should rest in Him.
That He is always watching over us.
That He is using our sleep to give us guidance.
He is always working on our hearts, souls, and spirits.
Taking us on spiritual journeys.
Ones that let us know how to manage something in advance.
Sleep is also a sweet blessing of God when it comes to our eternal rest.
It will be a time when we rest well and untroubled.
Waiting on the day when He calls all His children to abound together in His Heavenly Palace.
Where there will be a resurrection of those Christians who faithfully gave their lives to Him.
In either case, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” will always bring us the wisdom and courage we need (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV).
Knowing that when it all said and done, we will have great joy.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we know we are to walk by faith and not by sight. That the more we rest in You, the Word will bring joy to our lives. It will help us to not fear the things ahead. We will be at ease knowing that while we rest You are working out things for our good. That in the end the souls of all believers will be absent from the body and in Your glorious presence. Thank You for always giving us what we need to endure until You call us home.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen