KITTIES! How many there are! Can you count them? One, two, three, four, five. Yes, there are five, and two of them are asleep, and they look so peaceful that one would think they never could have known a care. The arm of the little mistress is thrown over one of the sleeping kitties, and she seems to be seeking to quiet two more into happy sleep.
Did you ever think what a blessed thing sleep is? It rests and refreshes weary minds and bodies, and it gives vigor and strength so that we can go on from day to day with what we have to do. We could not live without sleep any more than we could live without food. And God graciously gives sleep to all His creatures, for their comfort and well being. But He makes special mention of it in Psa. cxxvii in connection with those He loves. "So He giveth His beloved sleep." How sweetly this shows us God's tender care, and how our needs are thought of by Him. And not only does He care for His own, but He thinks of all, for God is good. He makes His sun to shine upon all, and He gives rain for the benefit of all, so also He gives sleep to all.
Our hearts should be filled with gratitude to God, for all these mercies and for His goodness to us, but many do not think of this, and then perhaps, some of these mercies are taken from them.
Sometime people are afraid to lie down upon their beds. Years ago there was a young girl who one day became aroused about the question of her soul's salvation! She talked long that evening with a Christian friend, seeking to find Christ as her Saviour, but all seemed vain; her soul was still troubled; she went to her room, but not to sleep.. She cried to the Lord to save her, but seemed to get no answer. She lay down upon her bed, but it was with the feeling that she did not dare to go asleep. Over and over, many times she said, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief." At last, far in the night, light broke in upon her. She saw that she was one of the lost sinners that Jesus came to save; she believed, and her soul was at rest. Then she could sleep sweetly.
There was a boy who believed in the Lord Jesus, but who did not know that his sins were forgiven. Night after night he went to bed with his heart full of fear, thinking the Lord might come while he was asleep, and he would be left behind. Sometimes people do what is wrong, and there is a burden on their conscience; they are troubled and cannot sleep. How is it with you?
Let me give you two beautiful verses, which are full of comfort for those who know the Lord, and who are walking with Him. will both lay me down in peace .and sleep; for Thou Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." Psa. 4:88I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8). "When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." Prov. 3:2424When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24).
How many of my dear little readers know this happy security?
Messages of God’s Love 3/17/1901